Introduction: Goa Awaits Ronaldo, But He’s Not Coming

It was supposed to be one of the most anticipated nights in Indian football history. Fans from all over Goa, Mumbai, and even Delhi had planned trips to the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda to witness Cristiano Ronaldo — one of the greatest footballers of all time — play on Indian soil for the very first time.

But as the floodlights prepare to shine for Al Nassr vs FC Goa in the AFC Champions League, there’s one star missing from the lineup: Ronaldo himself.

The Portuguese icon has opted out of the match — his third absence in this year’s AFC campaign — leaving fans heartbroken but curious. Why did Ronaldo skip this match? Is it part of his massive new contract with Al Nassr? And has he really scored 1,000 goals, as fans often claim? Let’s explore all this and more.

Ronaldo Missing the Al Nassr vs FC Goa Match

According to official reports from Al Nassr’s management, Cristiano Ronaldo will not feature in their AFC Champions League Group Two clash against FC Goa, scheduled for Wednesday at the Fatorda Stadium.

While Al Nassr arrived in India early Tuesday morning, Ronaldo stayed back in Riyadh, citing contractual rest clauses and scheduling discretion under his new two-year deal with the club.

This marks Ronaldo’s third consecutive absence in the AFC tournament, having already missed matches against FC Istiklol (Tajikistan) and Al Zawraa SC (Iraq). Interestingly, Al Nassr won both matches comfortably — 5-0 and 2-0 respectively — proving that the team remains strong even without its biggest star.

The Mega Deal: Ronaldo’s Rs 2,000 Crore Contract

Earlier this year, Ronaldo signed what is being called one of the most expensive sports contracts in history. His two-year extension with Al Nassr reportedly fetches him over Rs 2,000 crore per year (approx. $700 million) — a figure that dwarfs even the earnings of Messi and Neymar.

The contract isn’t just about salary — it includes perks like:

• A private jet for personal and club travel
• A 16-member personal staff including chefs, bodyguards, and physiotherapists
• A customized villa in Riyadh
• And most notably, a match selection clause — allowing Ronaldo to opt out of certain away fixtures, especially in countries with logistical or safety issues

This last clause, insiders say, was added after the chaos during Al Nassr’s 2023–24 AFC Champions League trip to Iran, where visa issues and fan security became major challenges.

Hence, Ronaldo is now skipping away matches in the group stage — including the one in India — unless Al Nassr faces elimination threats.

Has Ronaldo Come to India?

Despite several rumors, Cristiano Ronaldo has never officially played a match in India.
While he has traveled extensively for brand promotions, sponsorships, and international tournaments, India remains one of the few football-crazy nations he hasn’t visited professionally.

Fans were hoping that this AFC Champions League tie would change that. Posters, banners, and tickets sold out within hours after Al Nassr’s fixture list confirmed the Goa match — but Ronaldo’s absence has left a void.

A fan from Panjim summed it up perfectly:

“We bought tickets only to see Ronaldo. We don’t care about the scoreline — we just wanted one goal, one celebration from him.”

Still, local football fans see this as a historic opportunity for FC Goa and Indian football, as the nation hosts an international club giant led by global stars like Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, and Aymeric Laporte.

Has Cristiano Ronaldo Scored 1000 Goals?

One of the most commonly asked questions about Ronaldo is — “Has he scored 1000 goals?”
The answer: Not officially… yet.

As of October 2025, Ronaldo’s official career goal tally stands at over 875 in competitive matches, according to FIFA-recognized records. This includes goals for:

• Sporting CP (Portugal)
• Manchester United (England)
• Real Madrid (Spain)
• Juventus (Italy)
• Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia)
• And the Portugal national team

However, if one includes friendlies, exhibition matches, and unofficial club games, his total surpasses 1,000 goals — a symbolic milestone celebrated by fans worldwide.

In fact, some sports statisticians argue that Ronaldo has already scored his 1000th goal if such unofficial tallies are included, making him the first player in modern football history to reach that mythical figure.

Did Ronaldo Marry His Wife?

Another popular fan query — “Did Ronaldo marry his wife?” — refers to his long-term partner, Georgina Rodríguez.

Despite being together for almost eight years and raising five children (three biological, two via surrogacy), Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina are not legally married.

In a 2024 interview, Ronaldo clarified:

“We live like a married couple. Georgina is my family, my strength. Whether or not there’s a paper between us doesn’t change that.”

The couple resides in Riyadh but frequently travels to Madrid and Portugal. Georgina, a model and influencer, often shares family glimpses on social media, which remain among the most-liked posts on Instagram globally.

So, no — Ronaldo has not officially married Georgina Rodríguez, but they continue to be one of football’s most admired couples.

Ronaldo’s Record-Breaking Career: A Quick Look

Even at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. His physical fitness, discipline, and goal-scoring instinct remain unmatched.

Career Highlights:

• 5 Ballon d’Or awards (2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017)
• 4 Champions League titles with Real Madrid
• 1 European Championship (EURO 2016) with Portugal
• 875+ official goals in professional matches
• Most goals in UEFA competitions (145+)
• Most international goals (128) in men’s football history

Even though he plays in the Saudi Pro League, his fan base remains truly global — from Europe and Latin America to the Indian subcontinent.

People Also Ask

 Did Ronaldo marry his wife?

No, Cristiano Ronaldo and his longtime partner Georgina Rodríguez are not officially married, but they live together as a family.

Has Ronaldo come to India?

No, Ronaldo has never played or visited India for a professional match. His team, Al Nassr, is playing against FC Goa, but Ronaldo skipped the trip due to contractual rest clauses.

Has Ronaldo scored 1000 goals?

Officially, Ronaldo has around 875 recognized goals, but if friendly matches are counted, his tally crosses 1,000 goals.

Why did Ronaldo skip the FC Goa match?

His Al Nassr contract allows him to skip certain international fixtures for logistical reasons, which includes this AFC away game in India.

 Al Nassr Without Ronaldo: Still a Powerhouse

Even in Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr remains a formidable force in Asian football. The squad features international stars like Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, and Aymeric Laporte, along with talented Saudi players who have grown under Ronaldo’s mentorship.

Coach Luís Castro stated during a pre-match press conference:

“Cristiano’s presence is always a boost, but this team has learned to fight with and without him. His spirit remains with us.”

Al Nassr leads their AFC Group Two standings, and a win against FC Goa would almost guarantee their qualification to the next round.

Conclusion: The Legend’s Shadow Still Shines Bright

Cristiano Ronaldo may not have set foot in India yet, but his influence transcends geography. His face adorns jerseys, his chants echo in stadiums, and his discipline continues to inspire young athletes everywhere.

As fans in Goa fill the stands tonight, many will still wear the number 7 jersey, hoping that someday, Ronaldo himself will walk onto Indian turf.

Whether it’s scoring his 1,000th goal, signing a record-breaking deal, or simply resting under his contract Ronaldo remains the face of football’s golden era.