New Delhi:
Indian football is gearing up for a historic moment as Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to India with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr to face FC Goa in the upcoming Asian Champions League Two. The group-stage clash, scheduled for September, is already being hailed as one of the biggest matches in the history of Indian club football.
A Historic Draw
Al Nassr has been drawn in Group D alongside FC Goa (India), Istiklol (Tajikistan), and Al-Zawraa (Iraq). The top two clubs from each group will advance to the second round.
Cristiano Ronaldo set to light up Indian football!
The AFC Champions League Two draw puts Al Nassr in the same group as FC Goa!
meaning the GOAT could play on Indian soil! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/KTHZMKYBTB
— Transfermarket India (@TransfermkIndia) August 15, 2025
Calling it a monumental occasion, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur said:
“To host Al Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest game in Indian club football history. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa.”
Ronaldo and Al Nassr’s Star Power
At 40, Ronaldo remains one of football’s most iconic names, though he has yet to win a major trophy with Al Nassr since joining in 2022. The team, which finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season, is expected to field a full-strength squad for the continental tournament.
Al Nassr’s lineup also features global stars, including Sadio Mané, the former Liverpool forward, and João Félix, who joined from Chelsea in July.
Boost for Indian Football
For Indian football fans, the match represents not just a high-profile encounter but also a much-needed boost for the domestic game.
“For Indian football, this is historic. We are here on merit, and a match like this gives us the chance to compete on the continental stage, becoming part of the sport’s biggest narratives,” Puskur said.
He added that the excitement would resonate across the country, sparking greater interest in local football:
“It’s a unique opportunity to bring global attention to Indian football and, most importantly, to spark greater fan engagement, giving the game the spotlight it has long needed.”
Also Read: How Lionel Messi Was Convinced To Visit India: Emiliano Martinez, And A Durga Puja Statue
Challenges in Indian Football
The landmark fixture comes at a difficult time for Indian domestic football. The 2025–26 Indian Super League (ISL) season, originally scheduled to begin in September, has been suspended amid uncertainty over the renewal of the organizing agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its commercial partner, Football Sports Development Ltd., with the matter pending before the Supreme Court.
Several ISL clubs, including Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Chennaiyin FC, have suspended player salaries or halted operations until clarity emerges.
Despite the domestic challenges, Puskur believes the Ronaldo-led clash can have a lasting impact:
“While the financial boost is important, the bigger picture is the opportunity this creates for long-term growth. The global attention, sponsorship interest, and fan engagement from a moment like this help strengthen the club’s foundations, allowing us to invest in the future.”
With Cristiano Ronaldo set to step onto Indian soil once again, fans across the country are preparing for a spectacle that could redefine the nation’s footballing narrative.
