All eyes will be on the Hong Kong Stadium this Saturday, August 23, 2025, as two Saudi Arabian football giants, Al Nassr and Al Ahli, clash in the highly anticipated Saudi Super Cup final. The match presents a significant opportunity for Cristiano Ronaldo to secure his first official piece of silverware with Al Nassr, a milestone he has been chasing since joining the club.
The final, set to kick off at 8:00 AM ET (5:30 PM IST), is more than just a battle for a trophy; it’s a statement of intent for the 2025-26 season. Al Nassr, led by their Portuguese captain, is looking to build momentum, while Al Ahli aims to assert their dominance as the reigning AFC Champions League holders.
Path to the Final
Both teams navigated challenging semi-final encounters to book their places in the championship match. Al Nassr demonstrated resilience in a hard-fought 2-1 victory over rivals Al Ittihad. Despite going down to 10 men after Sadio Mané received a straight red card in the 25th minute, they persevered. Mané had opened the scoring before his dismissal, and a crucial assist from Cristiano Ronaldo set up Joao Felix for the winning goal, highlighting the team’s depth and determination.
In contrast, Al Ahli showcased their formidable attacking prowess with a resounding 5-1 win against Al Qadsiah. Former Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez was instrumental, providing two assists and underscoring the threat his team poses. According to reports, Al Ahli enters the final in impressive form, having lost only one of their last 20 matches.
Team News and Key Players
Al Nassr will be forced into a tactical shuffle due to the absence of Sadio Mané, who is suspended following his semi-final red card. This places greater responsibility on the shoulders of attackers like Joao Felix, Kingsley Coman, and Wesley to support Ronaldo, who is reportedly in top form and just one goal shy of a century for the club. While Ronaldo lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup with Al Nassr in 2023, that tournament is widely considered unofficial, making this final a pivotal moment in his Saudi Arabian career.
Al Ahli, coached by Matthias Jaissle, arrives with a full-strength squad, free from injuries or suspensions. The team is spearheaded by captain Riyad Mahrez and features a potent attack with Ivan Toney leading the line. Their solid defense, marshaled by the likes of Merih Demiral and Roger Ibanez, will be tasked with containing Al Nassr’s high-powered offense.
Head-to-Head and Historical Context
Historically, the rivalry between these two clubs has been remarkably even. In 72 meetings, Al Ahli holds a slight edge with 29 wins to Al Nassr’s 28, with 15 matches ending in a draw. However, recent history favors Al Nassr, who are unbeaten in their last seven encounters against Al Ahli, whose last victory in this fixture dates back to 2020, as noted by Olympics.com. Al Nassr are two-time winners of the Saudi Super Cup (2019, 2020), while Al Ahli claimed the title once in 2016.
How to Watch
Football fans in the United States can catch the action live on Fox Sports 2, FOX Deportes, Fubo, and DirecTV Stream. For viewers in other regions, the match will be available on DAZN and FOX Sports, depending on local broadcast rights. According to Sportstar, broadcast details for India are yet to be confirmed, but fans can follow live updates on their website.
