# Al Nassr competes amid Ronaldo's retirement hints > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/al-nassr-hires-ange-postecoglou > Updated: 2026-08-15T17:00:03.000Z. Sources: 389. Developments: 12. Al Nassr has bolstered its squad for the 2026/27 Saudi Pro League season by signing Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from RCD Mallorca. The transfer, valued between €22 million and €25 million, reportedly exhausts the club’s entire recruitment allocation for the window. This follows previous financial hurdles and reported liabilities exceeding $213 million, which led the Saudi Public Investment Fund to impose limits on new signings. Costa, a 2026 World Cup participant, replaces Marcelo Brozovic. On the pitch, the team has maintained a perfect start to the season, securing 12 points from four matches. Following a 4-0 victory against Al Riyadh and a 3-2 comeback win against Al-Ettifaq, Al Nassr secured a 2-1 victory over Al-Taawoun. In the win against Al-Taawoun, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal in the 50th minute, bringing his official career goal tally to 978. This strike also made him the all-time leading scorer in the Saudi Pro League era, surpassing Mohammad Al-Sahlawi with 104 goals. Manager Ange Postecoglou has addressed recent match tensions, specifically Ronaldo’s visible frustration during the Al-Ettifaq game. Postecoglou clarified that Ronaldo’s half-time substitution was a pre-planned tactical decision to manage fitness rather than a response to injury or disciplinary issues, noting that Ronaldo remained professional and was “dancing and singing” with teammates after victories. Off the pitch, Ronaldo has indicated that the 2026–27 season will likely be his final year in professional football, expressing a desire to leave a “spectacular legacy.” He remains focused on reaching 1,000 career goals. In personal news, Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez celebrated their marriage in an intimate ceremony on August 11 in Cascais, Portugal. ## Claims - Ronaldo has scored 976 career goals. (disputed by 20 sources) - Ronaldo confirmed that the 2026 World Cup was his final international competition. (disputed by 6 sources) - The 2026 World Cup was Ronaldo's final appearance in the tournament. (disputed by 5 sources) - Ronaldo has scored 950 professional goals. (disputed by 2 sources) - Ronaldo plans to spend his retirement traveling and playing padel. (corroborated by 40 sources) - Cristiano Ronaldo stated that the upcoming 2026/27 season is likely his last in professional football. (corroborated by 36 sources) - Ronaldo expressed his desire to leave a spectacular legacy. (corroborated by 26 sources) - Ronaldo claims to have his future plans fully organized. (corroborated by 26 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Cristiano Ronaldo hints at retirement and celebrates private wedding Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted that the 2026-27 season may be his last in football as he pursues 1,000 career goals. He also recently celebrated an intimate wedding with Georgina Rodríguez in Portugal. 354 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassr-faces-al-fateh-in-saudi-pro-league-opener ### 2026-08-10: Al-Nassr FC signs midfielder Samu Costa from Mallorca Al-Nassr FC has signed Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from RCD Mallorca in a deal worth approximately 22 million euros. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassr-fc-signs-midfielder-samu-costa-from-mallorca ### 2026-08-07: Al Nassr signs Samu Costa as first summer transfer Al Nassr has completed its first summer signing, Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Mallorca. Meanwhile, thousands of fans mistakenly gathered in Madeira for a rumored Cristiano Ronaldo wedding. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cristiano-ronaldo-to-miss-al-nassr-opener-teammate-demands-contract-clause ### 2026-08-05: Ange Postecoglou Takes Charge of Al Nassr, Meets Cristiano Ronaldo Ange Postecoglou becomes head coach of Saudi club Al Nassr, meets Cristiano Ronaldo, and faces a financially strained squad needing reinforcement, part of a surge of Australian coaches working overseas. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ange-postecoglou-takes-charge-of-al-nassr-meets-cristiano-ronaldo ### 2026-08-04: Midfielder Samu Costa joins Saudi club Al-Nassr from Mallorca Samu Costa transfers from Mallorca to Al‑Nassr for about €22 million, the biggest deal in Mallorca’s history. The move awaits official confirmation amid warnings not to train before finalisation. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/midfielder-samu-costa-joins-saudi-club-al-nassr-from-mallorca ### 2026-08-02: Cristiano Ronaldo watches Al Nassr lose 2-0 to Almería in pre‑season friendly Cristiano Ronaldo watched Al Nassr lose 2‑0 to UD Almería in a pre‑season friendly in Portugal, remaining on post‑World Cup break and meeting new coach Ange Postecoglou. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassr-to-play-ud-almera-in-portugal-friendly-ronaldo-to-attend ### 2026-07-25: Al Nassr eyes Saudi Pro League derby and pre‑season friendly in Portugal Al Nassr prepares for a crucial Saudi Pro League derby with Al Hilal and a pre‑season friendly against Mérida AD in Portugal, debuting coach Ange Postecoglou and missing several star players. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassr-eyes-saudi-pro-league-derby-and-preseason-friendly-in-portugal ### 2026-07-22: Al Nassr's Lisbon pre‑season camp continues as Nawaf Boushal cleared to train Al Nassr's Lisbon camp continues as defender Nawaf Boushal is cleared to train; the team prepares for friendlies, including a Benfica B match without Ronaldo, under new coach Postecoglou. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassrs-lisbon-preseason-camp-continues-as-nawaf-boushal-cleared-to-train ### 2026-07-17: Al-Nassr close to signing Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa Al‑Nassr are close to signing Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Mallorca, edging out RB Leipzig with a €25 million offer, as new manager Ange Postecoglou looks to boost the Saudi side. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassr-close-to-signing-portuguese-midfielder-samu-costa ### 2026-07-17: Al Nassr kicks off Postecoglou era in Lisbon and wins Saudi Pro League title Al Nassr began Postecoglou’s Lisbon pre‑season in July and later clinched the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title, beating Damac 4‑1 with Ronaldo scoring twice. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/al-nassr-kicks-off-postecoglou-era-in-lisbon-and-wins-saudi-pro-league-title ### 2026-07-09: Ange Postecoglou appointed Al Nassr manager amid high‑salary deal Ange Postecoglou joins Al Nassr on a reported €11.7 million‑per‑year deal, taking over a star‑laden squad; former Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer doubts the move’s sporting merit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ange-postecoglou-appointed-al-nassr-manager-amid-highsalary-deal ### 2026-07-03: Ange Postecoglou appointed head coach of Al‑Nassr Ange Postecoglou signs a two‑year deal to coach Saudi champions Al‑Nassr, taking over from Jorge Jesus and inheriting a squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ange-postecoglou-appointed-head-coach-of-saudi-club-alnassr --- Cite as: Al Nassr competes amid Ronaldo's retirement hints. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/al-nassr-hires-ange-postecoglou