Cristiano Ronaldo will travel to India to play against FC Goa in an Asian Champions League Two match, a fixture being hailed as “historic” for Indian football.
The draw on Friday placed Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, featuring Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix, in Group D alongside FC Goa, Tajikistan’s Istiklol, and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa. The top two teams from each group advance to the second round.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa,” club CEO Ravi Puskur told The Associated Press. “Hosting Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest game in Indian club football history.”
Ronaldo, 40, has yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Riyadh club in 2022. The team is expected to be at full strength when the match begins in September.
Puskur said the game offers Indian football a historic opportunity. “We are here on merit, and a match like this allows us to show that we can compete on the continental stage, becoming part of the sport’s biggest narratives,” he said.
He added that the fixture could boost Indian football nationwide. “It’s a unique chance to bring global attention to Indian football and spark greater interest among fans, giving the game the spotlight it has long needed,” Puskur said.
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The draw comes amid a domestic crisis. The 2025-26 Indian Super League season, due to start in September, has been suspended over disputes regarding the renewal of the organizing agreement between the Indian federation and its commercial partner, pending a Supreme Court order. Clubs including Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Chennaiyin FC have suspended salaries or halted operations until the matter is resolved.
“While the financial boost is important, the bigger picture is the opportunity this creates for long-term growth,” said Puskur. “The global attention, sponsorship interest, and fan engagement from a moment like this will strengthen the club’s foundations and allow us to invest in the future.”
Source: Agency