Al Nassr reportedly consider first-team promotion for Cristiano Ronaldo Jr
By Lee Seng Foo5 hours ago
(Al Nassr Football Club)
Cristiano Ronaldo could soon share the pitch with his son, with Al Nassr reportedly weighing up a first-team promotion for Cristiano Ronaldo Jr next season.
According to Saudi outlet Al Weeam, the Saudi Pro League leaders are expected to decide on the 15-year-old’s status at the end of the current campaign.
Renowned transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that discussions are ongoing.
🚨 Al Nassr are considering to bring Cristiano Ronaldo Jr with the first team in training from next season.
He’s turning 16 in June and Al Nassr are closely monitoring his development + best options for his pathway.
Ronaldo Jr currently plays for Al Nassr’s Under-17 side and has already represented Portugal at youth international level, highlighting his rapid development within the club’s academy.
Meanwhile, 41-year-old Ronaldo remains under contract with Al Nassr until June 2027, raising the possibility of a rare father–son partnership at senior level if the promotion materialises.
One of the most notable father-son examples came when Brazilian great Rivaldo came out of retirement to play alongside his son Rivaldinho for Brazilian Serie B club Mogi Mirim.
The duo even scored in the same match against Macaé Esporte in July 2015.
Jorge Martin: From Heaven to Hell
Coming into the season as the reigning World Champion, the Spaniard endured a nightmare year, as injury derailed his debut campaign with Aprilia
After an early reshuffle in the calendar that saw the Qatar Grand Prix pushed to November, the 2026 MotoGP season resumes in full force as the paddock heads to Europe, kicking off with the Spanish Grand Prix at Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto.
Three rounds are already in the books, with Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing setting the early pace through a dominant start to the campaign. But as the European leg begins, historical trends, home pressure and shifting team form could all come into play.
Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, live on SPOTV NOW, here are five key facts to know.
Spain remains the backbone of the MotoGP grid, with nine Spanish riders in the premier class alone, headlined by reigning world champion Marc Márquez, alongside the likes of Jorge Martín, Maverick Viñales and Álex Márquez.
Across Moto2 and Moto3, that number increases even further, effectively making Jerez a home race for a significant portion of the paddock.
Home advantage doesn’t guarantee victory
Despite the heavy Spanish presence, success for home riders at Jerez is far from guaranteed.
Since the MotoGP era began in 2002, non-Spanish riders have actually won more often than not, accounting for 13 of the last 24 editions. The trend extends to the support classes, with non-Spaniards claiming 13 wins in Moto2 and 14 in Moto3 over the same period.
Ducati searching for a response
Ducati Lenovo Team arrive at Jerez under unusual pressure. The factory outfit have not secured a Sunday podium since their one-two finish at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, with Marc Márquez’s injury and Francesco Bagnaia’s late-season DNFs contributing to the slump.
That drought has now extended into the new season, reaching eight races, their longest podium-less run since 2020, when they went five races without a top-three finish.
Jerez represents a crucial opportunity to halt the slide and respond to Aprilia’s early dominance.
Red Bull KTM Tech3 will line up with just one rider this weekend, after confirming that both Maverick Viñales and replacement Pol Espargaró will miss the Spanish Grand Prix.
That leaves Enea Bastianini as the team’s sole representative, making it an unusual scenario in modern MotoGP, where two-bike entries are the norm.
The last comparable case came at the 2025 Czech Grand Prix, when Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing fielded only Fabio Di Giannantonio due to Franco Morbidelli’s injury.
The 2026 Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup season gets underway at Jerez, running alongside the Spanish Grand Prix weekend.
The junior series has long served as a key pathway to the top level, with a significant portion of today’s grid graduating from the programme. Notable alumni include inaugural winner Johann Zarco, 2024 MotoGP champion Jorge Martín and three-time WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlıoğlu.
This year’s grid once again features emerging talents, including Indonesia’s Kiandra Ramadhipa and Thailand’s Kiattisak Singhapong, offering a glimpse of the sport’s next generation on one of its biggest stages.
The 2025/26 Saudi Pro League title race is entering its decisive stretch, with Al Nassr, Al Hilal and Al Ahli all still in contention as the season approaches its climax.
While Al Nassr hold a commanding lead, the congested run-in, fixture difficulty and continental commitments could yet reshape the standings. With direct clashes still to come and little margin for error, every point could prove decisive.
As the title race unfolds on SPOTV NOW, here are how things currently stand.
Al Nassr (76 points)
Final five games: Al Ahli (H), Al Qadsiah (A), Al Shabab (A), Al Hilal (H), Damac (H)
Cristiano Ronaldo looks on course to secure his first league title with Al Nassr, as his side hold an eight-point lead, albeit having played one game more than their closest rivals.
They arrive at the run-in in formidable form, having won 15 consecutive league matches and 18 in all competitions, establishing themselves as the team to beat. However, their title credentials will face a stern examination in the closing weeks.
Three of their remaining five fixtures come against top-four opposition, including decisive clashes against Al Ahli (April 29) and Al Hilal (May 12). In addition, their AFC Champions League Two commitments could stretch the squad and test their ability to maintain momentum across two fronts.
Final six games: Damac (H), Al Hazem (A), Al Khaleej (A), Al Nassr (A), Neom (H), Al Fayha (A)
Simone Inzaghi’s side have shown signs of inconsistency in recent weeks, but their relatively favourable run-in keeps them firmly in the title picture.
Aside from the crucial showdown against Al Nassr (May 12), their remaining fixtures are against teams currently outside the top seven, offering a clear opportunity to build momentum and apply pressure on the leaders.
Their exit from the AFC Champions League Elite at the hands of Qatar's Al Sadd could prove a blessing in disguise, allowing them to focus fully on domestic matters.
With their only non-league action left being the King’s Cup final against Al Kholood, whom they beat 6-0 in early April, Al Hilal may have the freshest squad heading into the final stretch.
Al Ahli (66 points)
Final six games: Al Nassr (A), Al Akhdoud (H), Al Fateh (H), Al Taawoun (A), Al Kholood (H), Al Khaleej (A)
Al Ahli remain outsiders in the title race, trailing Al Nassr by 10 points with six matches left to play, leaving them with little margin for error. Their immediate test comes in a high-stakes clash against the league leaders on April 29, a result that could either revive their slim hopes or effectively end their challenge.
However, their priorities may lie elsewhere. With Riyad Mahrez and Co. reaching the AFC Champions League final after impressive wins over Johor Darul Ta’zim and Vissel Kobe, attention could shift towards securing continental silverware rather than mounting an unlikely domestic comeback.
Newcastle Jets have been crowned A-League Premiers for the first time in the club’s history.
Mark Milligan’s side sealed top spot in the A-League regular season after a 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory, combined with Auckland FC’s 1-0 defeat to Central Coast Mariners, giving them an unassailable four-point lead with one match remaining.
The achievement also guaranteed the Jets a direct semi-final berth in the Finals series, along with qualification for the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite.
It marked a landmark campaign for the club, having already lifted the 2025 Australia Cup earlier in the season, keeping alive their pursuit of a domestic treble.
The Premiers Plate will be officially presented to the Jets following their F3 Derby clash against Central Coast Mariners at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 25.
Kyle Kuzma has joined Sierra Racing Club as co-owner and global brand ambassador in the E1 Series, linking up with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois at the team.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, with the Milwaukee Bucks forward becoming the latest high-profile athlete to invest in the all-electric powerboat racing championship.
“I’m a competitor [and] this is what I do every night in the NBA. When I saw what Sierra Racing Club was building along with E1, it was really a no-brainer,” said the 30-year-old.
Kuzma, who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, joined a growing list of global sports icons and celebrities involved in the series, including Rafael Nadal, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Didier Drogba and Virat Kohli.
The 2026 E1 Series season began in Jeddah in January, with Aoki Racing Team taking victory in the opening round.
The championship continues at Lake Como in Italy from April 24-25, with the race available live on SPOTV NOW.
