Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make his professional football debut in India as his club, Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, faces FC Goa in the AFC Champions League 2 group stage.
For years, Indian football fans have dreamed of watching Cristiano Ronaldo play live on Indian soil—and now, that dream could finally come true. Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League giants, have been drawn in Group D of the AFC Champions League 2 alongside India’s FC Goa, Iraq’s Al Zawraa, and Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol.
This means Ronaldo—considered one of the greatest footballers of all time—might step onto an Indian pitch in a competitive match for the first time ever.
When and Where Will Ronaldo Play in India?
The AFC Champions League Two follows a home-and-away group stage format. FC Goa will host Al Nassr in Goa for their group stage clash, with the match scheduled for October 22, 2025. The return leg in Riyadh will take place on November 5.
However, the exact date of Al Nassr’s visit to Goa could still change slightly within a window, as there are chances that matches could occur on September 16–17, September 30, October 1, October 21–22, November 4–5, November 25–26, or December 23–24. But the most confirmed date, based on current AFC scheduling, is October 22.
Will Ronaldo Definitely Play in India for FC Goa vs Al Nassr Matches?
There’s no doubt that Al Nassr will field their strongest possible squad for this tournament, given its prestige and the club’s ambitions.
Ronaldo, despite being 40, remains a key figure for the Saudi club and has shown he’s still in top form—scoring a hat-trick against Rio Ave and a brace against Almeria in pre-season. Barring injury or unexpected setbacks, he is expected to feature in both legs against FC Goa.
However, there’s a small chance Ronaldo might miss the India trip—some reports have suggested his contract includes travel restrictions for certain away games. Still, the expectation among fans and organizers is that he will make the trip, making this a landmark moment for Indian football.
All in all, Cristiano Ronaldo is coming to India—for now, the most likely date is October 22, 2025, when FC Goa hosts Al Nassr in Goa as part of the AFC Champions League 2. While there’s always a slim chance the Portuguese legend might not make the trip, all signs point to a historic night for Indian football.
While the fixture against Al Nassr is already highly anticipated, Indian fans are also eagerly awaiting Lionel Messi’s return to the country in December 2025, with Argentina scheduled to play two friendlies in Kochi.
The football fever in India is at an all-time high, with both Ronaldo and Messi potentially gracing Indian stadiums within months of each other.