Al-Nassr Rely on Abdullah Al-Hamdan as Ronaldo Recovers from Hamstring Injury

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Al-Nassr will look to forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent hamstring injury, as the Saudi Pro League club navigates a crucial period in both domestic and continental competitions. Ronaldo sustained the injury during a 3-1 league victory over Al-Fayha on February 28, 2026, and is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks.

Ronaldo’s Injury and Recovery

The injury occurred late in the match against Al-Fayha, with Ronaldo signaling discomfort before being substituted in the 81st minute. Al-Nassr officially confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday, stating that Ronaldo has begun a rehabilitation program and will be evaluated daily as reported by FOX Sports. Even as his participation in the 2026 World Cup is not currently threatened, his absence presents tactical challenges for the team.

Al-Hamdan Steps into the Spotlight

Head coach Jorge Jesus has reportedly selected Abdullah Al-Hamdan to lead the attack against NEOM SC, according to Arriyadiyah newspaper journalist Khaled Al-Rashid. Al-Hamdan, who officially joined Al-Nassr on February 2, 2026, as noted by Wikipedia, now carries the responsibility of replacing one of football’s biggest stars.

Al-Nassr’s Performance Without Ronaldo

Interestingly, Al-Nassr has demonstrated a remarkable record in matches where Ronaldo has been unavailable. A review of the 2025-26 campaign reveals a strong performance in his absence:

Saudi Pro League Record Without Ronaldo

• Al-Nassr 2-0 Al Ahli – Win
• Al-Nassr 2-0 Al Riyadh – Win
• Al-Nassr 4-1 Al Ittihad – Win
• Al-Nassr 4-0 Al Khaleej – Win

League Record Without Ronaldo: Played: 4, Wins: 4, Draws: 0, Losses: 0, Win percentage: 100%

AFC Champions League Two Record Without Ronaldo

• Al-Nassr 4-0 FC Goa – Win
• Al-Nassr 2-1 FC Goa – Win
• Al-Nassr 4-0 Istiklol – Win
• Al-Nassr 2-0 Al Ahli – Win

ACL Two Record Without Ronaldo: Played: 4, Wins: 4, Draws: 0, Losses: 0, Win percentage: 100%

Overall Combined Record in 2025-26 Season (Without Ronaldo): Played: 8, Wins: 8, Draws: 0, Losses: 0, Win rate: 100%

Overall Combined Record in 2025-26 Season (With Ronaldo): Played: 18, Wins: 13, Draws: 2, Losses: 3, Win rate: 72.2%

Statistical Significance

The statistics demonstrate that Al-Nassr has proven capable of winning matches without Ronaldo, showcasing improved depth, tactical flexibility, and shared scoring responsibility. Defensive solidity and collective attacking output have allowed the club to maintain a high level of performance even in his absence. However, the club acknowledges that Ronaldo’s presence often alters defensive structures, boosts confidence, and influences momentum, particularly in high-pressure situations.

Al-Hamdan’s Background

Abdullah Al-Hamdan (born September 13, 1999) is a Saudi Arabian forward who too plays for the Saudi Arabia national team. According to Wikipedia, he is the son of former Al-Shabab goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Hamdan. Al-Hamdan is an academy graduate of Al-Shabab and previously had a loan spell with Sporting Gijón in 2018.