Al-Nassr Football Club, commonly known as Al-Nassr or simply Nassr (), is a Saudi Arabian professional association football club based in Riyadh. Founded in 1955, the club competes in the Saudi Pro League, the top tier of football in Saudi Arabia, and is one of three teams never relegated from the top flight.
History
Beginnings and triumphs (1955–1989) Al Nassr was established in 1955 by the Al-Ja'ba brothers.Middle East Eye. "Al Nassr: The past and present of Ronaldo's new Saudi team." January 3, 2023. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/saudi-arabia-nassr-cristiano-ronaldo-new-team-past-present Training took place in an old playground at Gashlat Al-Shortah, west shirts. In addition to the Al-Ja'ba brothers, Ali and Al-Owais, Prince Abdul Rahman bin Saud Al Saud became the head of Al Nassr, he spent more than 39 years as the president for 3 stints until his death. His love of the team made him accept the challenge of being the president of a second-division club and turning it into a champion, and therefore, he is known as Al-Nassr's Godfather.Arab News. "Prince Abdulrahman bin Saud: The godfather of Al-Nassr." https://www.arabnews.com They were promoted to the first division in 1963. During the 1970s and 1980s, the club won one Categorization LeagueRSSSF. "Saudi Arabia 1974/75." https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sau75.html and three Saudi Premier League titles, Five King's Cups, two Crown Prince's Cups, and one Federation Cup. The team's success was built around the "Saudi Golden Trio" of Majed Abdullah, Fahd Al-Bishi and Mohaisen Al-Jam'an.
End of the Majed Abdullah era (1989–2000) In the 1990s (year), Al Nassr managed to win two further Saudi Premier League titles in the 1993–1994 and 1994–1995 seasons, the 1990 King's Cup and the 1997–1998 Federation Cup.RSSSF. "Saudi Arabia - List of Champions." https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/sauchamp.html Towards the end of Majed Abdullah's career, he still wasn't able to lift the ultimate prize in UAFA region; the Arab Club Champions Cup while the other top clubs in Saudi already succeeded in doing this.Arab News. "Majed Abdullah: Legendary Saudi striker who defined an era." https://www.arabnews.com Despite that, Al Nassr managed to triumph in the continental tournaments.Asian Football Confederation (AFC). "Asian Cup Winners' Cup Records and History." https://www.the-afc.com The 37-year-old striker, Majed Abdullah at the time, managed to win two GCC Club Cups, one Asian Cup Winners' Cup and one Asian Super Cup. Majed Abdullah announced his retirement on 12 April 1998 following Al-Nassr's win in the 1998 Asian Cup Winner's Cup against Suwon Samsung Bluewings from South Korea in front of fans in Riyadh.Asian Football Confederation (AFC). "1997–98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup Final." https://www.the-afc.com Majed retired at 39 years old as the all-time top scorer of the Saudi League with 189 goals and is also Al-Nassr's all-time top scorer with 260 goals, a record that was considered untouchable until the coming of Abderrazak Hamdallah.Saudi Pro League. "All-time Top Scorers and Records." https://www.spl.com.sa
After becoming champion of the Asian Super Cup, Al-Nassr was eligible to represent the AFC region in the first FIFA Club World Cup. In that championship Al-Nassr played against Corinthians, Real Madrid and Raja Casablanca and finished 3rd in the group, the club became the first team to officially represent Asia in an international tournament, which was held in Brazil from 5 January to 14 January, in the year 2000. The nickname "The Global One (Al-Alami)" was obtained following their respective participation in the Club World Cup. Al Nassr won the FIFA Fair Play Award and 6th place following the end of the Club World Cup and was the first team in the world to win the award.
Participating squad in the World Cup NumberPlayerGoalkeepers 1Mansoor Al-Qahtani 22Mohammed Al-Khojali 9Mohamed ShareefyDefenders 2Nasser Al Halawi 5Smahi Triki 4Saleh Aboshahin 12Hamad Al Khathran 16Abdulaziz Al-Janoubi 20Mohsin Harthi 21Hadi Sharify 23Ibrahim Al ShokiaMidfielders 3Faisal Al Dosari 6Ibrahim Al-Harbi 8Fahad Al-Bishi 10Fuad Amin 14Nassib Al Ghamdi 17Mansour Al-Mousa 18Abdullah Al KarniForwards 7Fahad Al-Mehallel 11Mohaisn Al-Jam'aan 13Ahmed Bahja 15Nahar Al Dhaferi 19Moussa SaïbManager Milan Živadinović
Decline (2001–2007) Following the retirement of the Golden Trio, Al-Nassr’s squad reached the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time. The club signed international players including Ivory Coast forward Fadel Keïta and former Barcelona midfielder Julio César Baldivieso.
Results declined in subsequent seasons. In 2006–07 Al-Nassr finished ninth with 21 points and avoided relegation on the final matchday. Honorary members, including Majed Abdullah, intervened to begin a long-term restructuring of the club’s management. During this period Al-Hilal recorded more derby victories against Al-Nassr than in any previous era.
Revival (2008–2015)
After a major overhaul of the playing staff, Al-Nassr defeated city rivals Al-Hilal to win the 2008 Federation Cup. In 2009 the club signed Mohammad Al-Sahlawi from Al-Qadsiah for a reported SR32 million, then a domestic record.
In his first season Al-Sahlawi scored 21 goals in 36 matches and was named Young Player of the Year by STC. Al-Nassr finished third in the 2009–10 league and qualified for the 2011 AFC Champions League.
2011 AFC Champions League Al-Nassr finished second in their group. Results included a 2–2 draw with Pakhtakor (goal by loaned player Bader Al-Mutawa), a 2–1 win over Esteghlal (Hussein Abdulghani), a 1–0 defeat to Al-Sadd, a further draw with Al-Sadd, a 4–0 victory over Pakhtakor (goals by Saud Hamood, Al-Sahlawi and two by Al-Mutawa), and a 2–1 loss to Esteghlal. In the round of 16 the club was eliminated 4–1 by Zob Ahan. Al-Mutawa scored five goals in the competition before returning to Kuwait.
League and cup success Under coach Francisco Maturana in 2011–12 Al-Nassr reached the Crown Prince Cup final but lost to Al-Hilal on penalties. In 2013–14, with José Daniel Carreño as coach, the team recorded a 22-match unbeaten run and won both the Saudi Pro League and the Crown Prince Cup against Al-Hilal, qualifying for the 2015 AFC Champions League.
Al-Nassr retained the league title in 2014–15. The side lost the King’s Cup final and exited the Crown Prince Cup in the semi-finals. In the 2015 AFC Champions League the team finished bottom of a group containing Bunyodkor, Al-Duhail and Persepolis. Al-Sahlawi scored 25 goals in 37 appearances that season. René Higuita was appointed coach but the club again failed to progress beyond the group stage of the 2016 AFC Champions League.
Hamdallah era (2016–2022) Al-Nassr finished third in the 2016–17 league behind Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal. The club were runners-up in both the Crown Prince Cup and the King’s Cup and did not qualify for the AFC Champions League in 2017 or 2018. Al-Sahlawi scored 10, 11 and 12 league goals across the three seasons from 2015–16 to 2017–18.
In March 2018 coach Gustavo Quinteros signed Sultan Al-Ghannam on a free transfer from Al-Faisaly. In the summer the club added Moroccan players Abderrazak Hamdallah and Nordin Amrabat. Hamdallah finished the 2018–19 season as league top scorer with 34 goals and helped Al-Nassr win the title. He also scored heavily in the King’s Cup, including multiple hat-tricks. At the end of the calendar year he was recognised by the IFFHS as the world’s leading goalscorer with 57 goals. Al-Sahlawi left for Al-Shabab.
Al-Nassr won the Saudi Super Cup in January 2020 (1–1 draw with Al-Taawoun, Hamdallah scoring) and again in January 2021 (3–0 against Al-Hilal). In the 2019 AFC Champions League the club reached the quarter-finals before losing to Al-Sadd; Hamdallah scored four goals. In the 2020 edition Al-Nassr reached the semi-finals, losing on penalties to Persepolis. Hamdallah shared the golden boot with seven goals.
Hamdallah’s contract was terminated in November 2020 although he remained available until the end of the season. In May and June 2021 the club signed Talisca (reported €9.5 million) and Vincent Aboubakar (reported €6 million). Both scored on debut in a 4–1 win over Damac in August 2021. Under coaches Miguel Ángel Russo and later Rudi Garcia the team finished without major trophies in 2021–22. Talisca scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 win at Al-Raed.
Ronaldo era (2023–present)
On 30 December 2022 Al-Nassr signed Cristiano Ronaldo on a two-and-a-half-year contract later extended. The reported annual salary was among the highest ever paid to a footballer. Al-Nassr finished second in the 2022–23 Saudi Pro League.
2023–2024 Al-Nassr won the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. After drawing 0–0 with Al-Shabab, beating US Monastir 4–1 (Ronaldo scoring) and drawing 1–1 with Zamalek, the side defeated Raja Casablanca 3–1 and Al-Shorta 1–0 (Ronaldo penalty). In the final against Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr came from 1–0 down, finished with ten men, and won 2–1 after extra time with both goals scored by Ronaldo. He finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals.
In the summer of 2023 the club added Otávio, Sadio Mané, Aymeric Laporte, Seko Fofana, Marcelo Brozović, Aziz Behich and Alex Telles. At the end of 2023 Al-Nassr stood second in the league. The side topped their AFC Champions League group unbeaten and reached the King’s Cup semi-finals. Talisca led the AFC Champions League scoring charts with eight group-stage goals.
Ronaldo was named the IFFHS world’s best goalscorer for 2023 with 54 goals. Al-Nassr were eliminated from the 2023–24 AFC Champions League by Al-Ain on penalties after a 4–4 aggregate. The club also lost the King’s Cup final on penalties, exited the Super Cup in the semi-finals, and finished second in the league with a club-record 82 points. Ronaldo won the golden boot and set a new single-season league scoring record.
2024–2025 President Ibrahim al-Muhaidib resigned in 2024. New signings included Mohamed Simakan, Ângelo Gabriel, Wesley and Bento. Luís Castro was replaced by Stefano Pioli in September 2024. The club launched “Nassr TV” in partnership with DAZN.
In January 2025 Majid Al-Jam’an replaced Guido Fienga as executive director. The club signed Jhon Durán and sold Seko Fofana to Rennes for a reported €20 million. In July 2025, José Semedo became acting CEO, Simão Coutinho was appointed sporting director, and Jorge Jesus replaced Pioli as manager. Further arrivals included João Félix, Iñigo Martínez and Kingsley Coman. Later in August 2025, Al-Nassr lost the Saudi Super Cup final to Al-Ahli on penalties.
2025–2026
During the 2025–26 season under Jesus, Al-Nassr reached the AFC Champions League 2 Final but were defeated by Gamba Osaka. The club went on to win the Saudi Pro League title. Following the season, Jorge Jesus departed the club. Ange Postecoglou was subsequently appointed as manager, with Samu Costa joining the squad as a new signing.
Crests and colours
Crests
Al-Nassr (Arabic: النصر) is the Arabic word for "victory". While several football clubs across the Arab world share this name, the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr FC was the first to adopt it.
The club’s logo features a stylized map of the Arabian Peninsula, symbolising the team's regional identity. The yellow colour in the logo represents the sands of the Arabian deserts, while the blue represents surrounding bodies of water, including the Arabian Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and the Red Sea.
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
Period Kit manufacturer Shirt main sponsor 1955–1978 In-House None 1979–1980 Adidas 1981–1988 In-House 1989–1990 Duarig 1991–1996 In-House 1997–2001 Nike 2002–2005 In-House 2006–2008 Lotto Al-Jawal 2008–2010 STC None 2010–2012 Nike 2012–2013 NFC (In-House brand) 2013–2014 Nassrawi.com 2014–2017 Mobily 2017–2018 New Balance None 2018–2021 Victory (In-House brand) Etihad Airways 2021–2022 Lebara 2022–2023 Duneus Shurfah 2023–2024 Nike KAFD 2024–2026 Adidas 2026–present Humain