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FC Goa vs. Al Nassr: Cristiano Ronaldo to play AFC Champions League Two match in India in October?

by Devesh Jaganath

image FC Goa vs. Al Nassr: Cristiano Ronaldo to play AFC Champions League Two match in India in October?
For the first time ever, Indian football fans could see global footballing icon and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in the flesh in October this year. CR7 and his Al Nassr team have been drawn in the same group as Indian Super League outfit FC Goa for the 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two season.

Ronaldo’s potential arrival dubbed ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ moment

The 2025-26 AFC Champions League Two season is now underway, and India have two teams representing the nation at the competition this year, including Indian Super League champions Mohun Super Giant and league runners-up FC Goa. 

MBSG kicked off their campaign on Tuesday night at home against Turkmenistan side Ahal FK, but the Mariners suffered defeat in their opening match, losing 1-0, with Enwer Annayew scoring the only goal of the match for the visitors. 

The Gaurs first game will be played on Wednesday at home to Al-Zawraa and will be covered via our football livescore tool. However, FC Goa fans are already looking ahead to Matchday 3, when they are scheduled to play host to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr. 

Ronaldo has yet to win a major trophy since joining the PIF-owned Saudi Pro League giants in 2022, and now, at 40 years of age, this could be the final chance for the footballing icon to come to India for a continental tournament. Speaking on the CR7’s potential visit, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puksur said:

"This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa. To host Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest game in Indian club football history. It's a unique opportunity to bring global attention to Indian football and, most importantly, a chance to spark a greater interest in Indian football among fans across the country, giving the game the spotlight it has long needed.” 

Puksur’s statement comes at a time when India’s domestic league faces a major crisis, with the staging of the 2025-26 season still up in the air, while clubs like Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC have suspended all first-team activities and salaries until further notice. 

Ronaldo to join list of global stars to play in India

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Over the years, India has hosted some of the most famous faces in football from all corners of the globe, starting with the legendary Brazilian himself, Pele, who played for the New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan back in 1977. 

Former captain of the German national team Oliver Kahn came to India in 2008 with Bayern Munich for his farewell match against MBSG, while Diego Maradona played in a charity event in 2008, and Lionel Messi’s Argentina took on Venezuela in a friendly in Kolkata in 2011. 

Among the global superstars who played in the Indian Super League are Roberto Carlos, Alessandro Del Piero, Nicolas Anelka, Marco Materazzi, Robbie Keane, Luis Garcia, David Trezeguet and Dimitar Berbatov. 

AFC Champions League Two groups:

  • Group A: Al Wasl FC, Esteghlal FC, Al Muharraq SC, Al Wehdat
  • Group B: Al Ahli SC, PFC Andijon, FC Arkadag, Al Khaldiya SC 
  • Group C: Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC, Al Hussein, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Ahal FC
  • Group D: Al Nassr, Al Zawraa SC, FC Istiklol, FC Goa
  • Group E: Beijing FC, Macarthur FC, Tai Po FC, Cong An Ha Noi FC
  • Group F: Gamba Osaka, Nam Dinh FC, Ratchaburi FC, Eastern FC
  • Group G: Bangkok United, Selangor FC, Lion City Sailors FC, Persib Bandung
  • Group H: FC Pohang Steelers, BG Pathum United, Kaya FC-Iloilo, Tampines Rovers FC

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