Al-Na r v Al-Ittihad Club Stat : Head-to-Head & Ronaldo Impact

Total matches played: 53 ·
Al-Nassr wins: 18 ·
Al-Ittihad wins: 21 ·
Draws: 14 ·
Al-Nassr goals per game: 1.6 ·
Al-Ittihad goals per game: 1.7

53 meetings, one pattern: the aggregate numbers hide a statistical split. Different data providers report varying totals because they cover different time windows and competition filters.

Who is better, Al-Nassr or Al-Ittihad?

Overall head-to-head record

• Al-Ittihad leads the all-time series with 21 wins to Al-Nassr’s 18, plus 14 draws, according to AiScore (match statistics platform). Other sources show slightly different aggregates: SoccerPunter (head-to-head data provider) reports 17 wins for Al-Nassr and 20 for Al-Ittihad from 49 games, while FootyStats (statistics site) shows 13 wins for Al-Nassr and 9 for Al-Ittihad from 27 fixtures.
• The discrepancy comes from different date ranges and competition scopes — some include only Saudi Pro League meetings, others cover all competitions.

Recent form comparison

• In the last five meetings across all competitions, Al-Nassr has won three, Al-Ittihad two, with no draws, per Livescores.biz (match results site). The most recent clash on September 26, 2025, ended 2-0 for Al-Nassr (Sofascore).
• Al-Nassr’s form is particularly strong when Ronaldo plays — they have not lost to Al-Ittihad with him on the pitch since his debut season.

The implication: Al-Nassr is peaking at the right time, but their reliance on Ronaldo makes them vulnerable when he is unavailable.

Key player contributions

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored over 70 goals for Al-Nassr across all competitions as of late 2025, according to FotMob (live score service). His goal-per-game ratio exceeds 0.8.
• Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté anchor Al-Ittihad’s attack and midfield, but the team has struggled to convert possession into goals against top-tier defenses.

The implication: Al-Nassr’s reliance on Ronaldo is a clear vulnerability that Al-Ittihad will look to exploit in future matchups.

Why is Ronaldo refusing to play?

Context of missed games

• Ronaldo missed two consecutive matches for Al-Nassr in October 2025 — a Saudi Pro League game and a King’s Cup tie against Al-Ittihad. Livescores.biz confirms he was not listed in the squad for either fixture.
• Media speculation ranges from a minor muscle injury to personal reasons, but the club has not issued a detailed statement.

Official statements from Al-Nassr

• Al-Nassr released a brief statement saying Ronaldo “was unavailable due to a matter that required his attention,” without further elaboration.
• No official injury report has been published, leaving fans and analysts guessing.

Impact on team lineup

• In the King’s Cup match on October 28, 2025, Al-Nassr lost 2-1 to Al-Ittihad without Ronaldo (Livescores.biz). Sadio Mané and Ângelo started in attack but couldn’t replicate Ronaldo’s finishing.

The pattern: without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr’s attack loses its primary focal point, forcing the team to rely on set pieces and counterattacks.

The pattern: Ronaldo’s absence forces Al-Nassr into a less fluid attacking style, making them more predictable.

How many goals has Ronaldo scored for Al-Nassr?

Total goals across all competitions

• As of late 2025, Ronaldo has scored over 70 goals for Al-Nassr in all competitions, per FotMob (live score service). His tally includes goals in the Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup, AFC Champions League, and Arab Club Champions Cup.

Goal breakdown by season

• 2022-23 (partial season): 14 goals in 19 appearances.
• 2023-24: 44 goals in 45 appearances.
• 2024-25 (ongoing): over 15 goals so far.

Goals in matches against Al-Ittihad

• Ronaldo has scored three goals in head-to-head matches against Al-Ittihad, including a strike in the 2-0 win on September 26, 2025 (Sofascore).

What this means: Ronaldo remains the focal point of Al-Nassr’s attack despite the slight dip in efficiency against tough opponents.

Has Ronaldo ever played against Al-Ittihad?

Matches faced Al-Ittihad

• Ronaldo has faced Al-Ittihad six times since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023, according to SoccerPunter (head-to-head data provider). He missed two of those due to suspension or rest.

Performance in those matches

• In the four matches he played, Ronaldo scored three goals and provided two assists. Al-Nassr’s record in those games: 2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.

Historical context

• Ronaldo’s presence has shifted the rivalry’s balance. Before his arrival, Al-Nassr had lost six of the previous eight meetings with Al-Ittihad.

The catch: when Ronaldo is fit and available, Al-Nassr’s win probability against Al-Ittihad jumps to over 60%.

What are the predicted lineups for Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad?

Expected formation for Al-Nassr

• Al-Nassr typically lines up in a 4-3-3 formation: Goalkeeper – Bento; Defense – Al-Ghannam, Al-Ojami, Laporte, Al-Najdi; Midfield – Brozović, Al-Khaibari, Otávio; Attack – Mané, Ronaldo (if fit), Talisca.

Expected formation for Al-Ittihad

• Al-Ittihad prefers a 4-2-3-1: Goalkeeper – Al-Mayouf; Defense – Al-Shanqiti, Hegazi, Al-Harbi, Al-Olayan; Holding – Kanté, Al-Farhan; Attacking mids – Hamdallah, Coronado, Al-Aboud; Striker – Benzema.

Key players to watch

• For Al-Nassr: Ronaldo (if available), Mané, and Talisca provide the attacking thrust. For Al-Ittihad: Benzema’s movement and Kanté’s interception skills are the pillars.

The trade-off: Al-Nassr’s lineup is more dependent on Ronaldo’s fitness; Al-Ittihad has greater tactical flexibility with multiple midfield options.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad

The rivalry shows contrasts across several dimensions — here’s how the two clubs stack up.

“Al-Nassr has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will be unavailable for the next match due to a personal matter.”

— Al-Nassr official statement, as reported by Livescores.biz (match results site)

“Without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr looked disjointed in attack. Mané and Ângelo created chances but lacked the finishing touch that Ronaldo brings.”

— ESPN match analyst, commenting on the Oct 28 King’s Cup defeat (Sofascore)

For Al-Nassr fans, the message is clear: the team’s success against Al-Ittihad depends heavily on Ronaldo’s availability. Without him, the squad’s depth will be tested in upcoming fixtures. For Al-Ittihad, the opportunity is equally clear — exploit Ronaldo’s absence to reclaim the historical upper hand.