Portugal and Al Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo to play Pakhtakor FC in Tashkent
Pakhtakor football club was drawn to host Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League Elite, with Tashkent gearing up for one of its biggest club football nights in years. The date is not yet finalised, and Ronaldo’s participation is not guaranteed either, but the Saudi champions are officially scheduled to play at Pakhtakor’s home ground.
Pakhtakor said Tuesday’s league-stage draw had given them home fixtures against Al Nassr, Esteghlal, Tractor and Al Qadsiah.
The draw gives Uzbek fans a chance to see Ronaldo, one of the biggest names in football, play at Pakhtakor or Bunyodkor Stadium in Tashkent in what he has indicated could be his final season as a professional. The 41-year-old said this week that next year would «probably» be his last in football. He is closing in on 1,000 goals for club and country, with 976 to his credit.
Al Nassr enter the new Asian campaign as champions of the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo returned late for personal reasons and watched from the stands as they began their title defence under new coach Ange Postecoglou, winning 3-0 against Al Fateh last weekend.
Is Ronaldo parting ways with football?
Ronaldo is entering his fourth season at Al Nassr, having signed a contract until 2027. It was his first major trophy with the Riyadh club since his arrival at the end of 2022. Last Sunday, he told Vogue in an interview that he might be entering «my last year in football.»
«Because [retiring from] football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one. And also have more fun, travel more, watch and play padel, which I really like, and continue to enjoy what I’ve earned — what we’ve earned,» he admitted.
Pakhtakor booked their place in the 2026/27 league stage with a 3-0 win over Jordan’s Al Hussein in Tashkent on 11 August, with Dostonbek Khamdamov scoring twice and Bashar Rasan netting the third. It will be the club’s 20th time in Asia’s top continental competition.
Read more: Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein joins Pakhtakor after World Cup run
That home victory over Al Hilal offers at least some encouragement before another heavyweight Saudi visitor arrives.
