Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr has been drawn alongside India’s FC Goa, Iraq’s Al Zawra’a, and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in Group D of the AFC Champions League Two, the draw announced on Friday. If fit, Ronaldo is set to play his first professional match against an Indian club. However, there is uncertainty over whether he will travel to India, as his contract reportedly includes a clause restricting away fixtures in the tournament.
Ronaldo is confirmed to feature in the home match against FC Goa in Riyadh. Both teams will meet twice in the group stage under the home-and-away format. For FC Goa, the fixture promises to be one of the most high-profile games in the club’s history since its founding in 2014.
Another Indian club, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, has been drawn in Group C with Sepahan SC (Iran), Al Hussein (Jordan), and Ahal FC (Turkmenistan). FC Goa earned its spot in the AFC Champions League Two by defeating Oman’s Al Seeb 2-1, with goals from Dejan Drazic and Javier Siverio. Mohun Bagan SG qualified after winning the 2024/25 ISL Shield.
Over the summer, Ronaldo’s future at Al Nassr was widely speculated upon, with reports suggesting a possible move to the USA ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup. The Portuguese star, however, ended speculation by extending his stay at the Saudi club.
The upcoming clash between Ronaldo’s Al Nassr and FC Goa is set to be a historic encounter for Indian football, offering fans a rare chance to see one of the world’s greatest players in action against a domestic side.