The painful truth: Ronaldo faces a major concern at Al Nassr.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo has elevated Al-Nassr's image and maintained competitiveness in the Saudi Pro League, the club faces a notable worry as many home matches show numerous empty seats.

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo continuing to shine and bringing global attention to Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club still faces a lingering concern: the stands not being fully filled during home matches.

Since Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, the Saudi Arabian club has entered a completely new phase. This historic signing not only transformed Al-Nassr's image but also helped elevate the Saudi Pro League on the global football map.

The arrival of the Portuguese superstar immediately created a massive media impact. The club's social media following skyrocketed, international broadcasting deals expanded, and sponsors began showing greater interest in the league. From being a strong regional team, Al-Nassr quickly became a global brand in a short time.

On the pitch, Ronaldo has also convincingly proven his worth. Even in the latter stages of his career, he maintains an impressive scoring rate. The Portuguese forward has surpassed 100 goals for Al-Nassr across all competitions and broke the single-season scoring record in the Saudi Pro League with 35 goals in the 2023/24 season, thereby winning the Golden Boot.

He defended this title the following season, demonstrating remarkable consistency as he approaches the historic milestone of 1000 career goals. Beyond scoring, Ronaldo has raised the standard of professionalism within the squad. Many teammates acknowledge that his training mentality, discipline, and leadership have become a model for the entire team.

However, alongside tactical adjustments and transfer plans, another issue is increasingly concerning the Al-Nassr leadership.

The Concern from Partially Filled Stands

According to many internal sources, both manager Jorge Jesus and Cristiano Ronaldo are dissatisfied with frequently witnessing many empty seats in the stands during home matches.

Although Ronaldo is one of the world's most famous athletes, rivaling Lionel Messi in influence, the image of empty seats broadcast during Al-Nassr matches still raises certain concerns.

Former club legal department manager, Saad Al-Subaie, revealed that manager Jorge Jesus has emphasized the importance of strong support from the stands, especially in crucial domestic matches. According to him, the issue isn't solely about spectator numbers, but about how the stadium's appearance is presented to the public and the match atmosphere.

In reality, statistics show Al-Nassr's attendance figures remain among the highest in the league. In the 2024/25 season, the club averaged approximately 16,292 spectators per home match. Meanwhile, the average for the entire Saudi Pro League in the 2025/26 season was only about 8,113 per match.

Current estimates indicate Al-Nassr typically attracts between 15,000 and 18,000 spectators per home match, a fairly positive number compared to the league average.

Why do the stadiums still appear "empty"?

Nevertheless, several objective factors contribute to Saudi Pro League stadiums often appearing less than full.

Firstly, most stadiums have large capacities, ranging from 25,000 to 60,000 seats, making even 15,000 spectators look sparse on television broadcasts. Additionally, the sections designated for away fans are often not fully occupied.

Furthermore, many matches are scheduled mid-week with late kick-off times, around 10 PM local time, making it difficult for working fans to attend. The hot weather and traffic conditions in Riyadh also affect the matchday experience.

A cultural factor is also mentioned: many fans in Saudi Arabia have the habit of watching matches with family and friends at home rather than going to the stadium. Moreover, some stadiums still lack truly convenient infrastructure and transportation systems for spectators.

However, with the appeal of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and the ambition to elevate the league, Al-Nassr still hopes the atmosphere in the stands will become increasingly vibrant in the future.