PANAJI
In a major development for Indian football fans, Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr have officially registered Cristiano Ronaldo for the upcoming AFC Champions League Two, with the team drawn in Group D alongside FC Goa.
The draw has sparked excitement across India, as Ronaldo’s potential visit to play against Goa on October 22 is now a real possibility ” a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Indian fans to witness the global icon live on home soil.
Group D also includes Al-Zawraa (Iraq) and Istiklol (Tajikistan), but Al-Nassr, with their galaxy of stars, will enter as strong favourites. Along with Ronaldo, the Saudi side has also registered elite names like Joao Felix, Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, Simakan, Inigo Martinez, Marcelo Brozovic, Angelo, Bento, and Wesley for the continental competition.
FC Goa, who earned their place in ACL 2 with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al Seeb (Oman), now find themselves in the spotlight ahead of this high-profile group stage clash.
Fellow Indian club Mohun Bagan Super Giant has also qualified for the competition and will compete in Group B alongside Sepahan SC (Iran), Al Hussein SC (Jordan), and Ahal FC (Turkmenistan).
Amid this continental excitement, scheduling concerns loom on the domestic front. With the Indian Super League (ISL) currently on hold, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed that the Super Cup will be held in a phased manner from October 25 to November 22, 2025.
Following India's third-place finish at the CAFA Nations Cup, players have now returned to their respective clubs. However, with both FC Goa and Mohun Bagan also involved in AFC fixtures, the AIFF will face a challenge in balancing domestic and international commitments during a tightly packed calendar.
