Al-Nassr x Al-Ittihad marked a duel between Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema, partners at Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema met again on the pitch this Tuesday (19), as Al-Nassr defeated Al-Ittihad 2-1 in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. The result puts Jorge Jesus’ side into the final, where they will face the winner of Al-Qadisiya vs. Al-Ahli.
Ronaldo and Benzema Reunited
The clash brought together two icons of Real Madrid’s golden era. Ronaldo, now captain of Al-Nassr, and Benzema, leading the attack for Al-Ittihad, were teammates at the Santiago Bernabéu between 2009 and 2018. Together, they formed the legendary “BBC” trio alongside Gareth Bale and collected an extraordinary haul of trophies:
- 4 UEFA Champions League titles
- 3 FIFA Club World Cups
- 2 La Liga titles
- Multiple Copa del Rey and UEFA Super Cups
While Bale’s influence faded, Ronaldo and Benzema became one of the most effective strike partnerships in football history.
From Madrid Glory to Saudi Arabia Rivalry
Both players arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 Ronaldo from Manchester United, Benzema from Lyon and went on to define a decade of dominance. Benzema extended his stay in Madrid after Ronaldo’s departure, winning another Champions League and two more La Liga titles.
In Saudi Arabia, their rivalry has taken on a new chapter. Tuesday’s result was the fourth time they have faced each other since moving to the Middle East. The head-to-head record now stands level:
- Al-Ittihad 2–5 Al-Nassr (2023)
- Al-Ittihad 2–1 Al-Nassr (2024)
- Al-Nassr 2–3 Al-Ittihad (2025)
- Al-Nassr 2–1 Al-Ittihad (2025)
Al-Nassr’s Ambition
Despite playing with 10 men for much of the match, Al-Nassr showed resilience. Cristiano Ronaldo provided the assist for João Félix’s winner, underlining his continued influence. Jorge Jesus’ men now look to secure the trophy and deliver Ronaldo his first major title in Saudi Arabia.
