When Roberto Firmino will face Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season

After shockingly succumbing to the second tier in 2021, Al Ahli are back in the Saudi big time and hopeful of making a big splash in 2023/24.

The historically significant club are one of four to have been taken over by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) this summer, and their spending thus far would suggest a promising campaign awaits.

Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino is arguably the biggest name through the door, but he's since been joined by the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Allan Saint-Maximin and Edouard Mendy at the newly promoted club.

While a title challenge might be beyond them, Al Ahli are expected to be major players towards the top of the table next season and each of their fixtures with the division's 'Big Four' will prove crucial in determining who are crowned champions come the end of the campaign.

Here's when Firmino's Al Ahli will face off against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in 2023/24.

When will Roberto Firmino face Cristiano Ronaldo in 2023/24 Saudi Pro League season?

It's fair to say that these two clashes don't exactly arrive at crucial points in the season. Both teams would've settled by the time their first meeting rolls around on Matchday 7, scheduled for either 21/22 September.

The reverse fixture at Al Ahli's home ground has been scheduled ten matchdays before the final weekend of the season. Ronaldo's side will travel to Firmino's Al Ahli on 28/30 March 2024.

Roberto Firmino vs Cristiano Ronaldo head-to-head record

Firmino doesn't exactly have a deep history with the all-time great and, should both players play in the two league meetings next season, it'll be just the fourth and fifth times they've faced each other in their careers.

While Firmino has over 50 Brazil caps to his name, he has never played against Ronaldo's Portugal.

At a club level, the pair first faced off on the biggest stage of the lot: the Champions League final. The 2018 epilogue has been entrenched in infamy due to Loris Karius' horror show in goal for the Reds. Gareth Bale struck twice for Real Madrid in a 3-1 victory over Liverpool.

Ronaldo's other two outings against Firmino's Reds were much more forgettable. Both started the 5-0 drubbing Man Utd were subject to by Jurgen Klopp's side in October 2021, and the Portuguese forward played just eight minutes in United's 2-1 win at the start of the 2022/23 season when he was on his way out of Manchester for a second time.

Al Ahli vs Al Nassr recent results

Al Ahli vs Al Nassr head-to-head record