The football world is buzzing with the potential for Cristiano Ronaldo to play on Indian soil, as FC Goa has been drawn alongside Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in Group D of the AFC Champions League Two. The draw, which took place on August 15, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has ignited excitement among Indian football fans at the prospect of witnessing one of the greatest footballers of all time play in their country.
FC Goa secured their place in the group stage after a 2-1 victory over Oman's Al Seeb Club in the preliminary stage. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the reigning Indian Super League (ISL) Shield winners, have also qualified for the competition, marking the first time two Indian clubs will participate in the group stage of the AFC Champions League Two. Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been drawn in Group C alongside Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC of Iran, Al Hussein of Jordan, and Ahal FC of Turkmenistan.
The AFC Champions League Two is Asia's second-tier club football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament features 32 teams in the group stage, and the winner will be given an indirect preliminary stage slot for the 2026–27 AFC Champions League Elite, if they have not already qualified through their domestic performance.
The prospect of Ronaldo playing in India has captured the imagination of fans. However, there are uncertainties surrounding his participation. Reports suggest that Ronaldo may be rested for a portion of the season to manage his workload, especially with the FIFA World Cup on the horizon. It is also rumored that Ronaldo's contract includes a clause that allows him to skip away games in the AFC Champions League Two. Last year, Al-Nassr's match against Iran's Esteghlal was moved to Dubai for security reasons, fueling speculation about his travel plans.
Despite the uncertainty, the possibility of seeing Ronaldo play in Goa has generated immense anticipation. If he makes the trip, the match would be a cultural spectacle, blending Ronaldo's global stardom with Goa's passionate fanbase. Even if Ronaldo does not travel to India, Al-Nassr's squad boasts other prominent players such as Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, João Félix, Aymeric Laporte, and Otávio, offering Indian fans the chance to witness top-quality international talent.
The AFC Champions League Two group stage is set to commence in September, with matches played in a home-and-away round-robin format until December 24, 2025. The Round of 16 will be held between February 10 and 19, 2026, followed by the quarter-finals in March, semi-finals in April, and the final on May 16, 2026.
Whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo graces Indian football fans with his presence remains to be seen. Regardless, FC Goa's encounter with Al Nassr promises to be a momentous occasion for Indian football, providing a platform to showcase the sport's growing popularity and the nation's passion for the beautiful game.
