Jorge Jesus has set the tone ahead of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League Round 23 clash against Al-Hazem on Friday, February 21, 2026 as shared by fabrizo romano via their official x handle, speaking with calm authority as his side continues an impressive run of form across domestic and continental competitions.
Jorge jesus stated;
We have seven consecutive wins and we are looking for the eighth. Our team currently has no injuries, and we are waiting for the support of our fans in the stands.” “We know Al Hazem well. They have played many seasons in the league and have Fabio Martins, an outstanding attacking midfielder who previously played in Portugal.
Tomorrow’s match is difficult, and what matters most for us is applying our tactical ideas, creating many chances, and maintaining the required defensive balance. I ask the fans to be present with us so we can celebrate the performance and enjoy a beautiful Ramadan night.
It’s a new experience to train before iftar. We thought of something new to apply, and at the players’ request, training sessions are being held at this time. We don’t know if we will continue with it, as we will evaluate the physical condition day by day. Previously, I used to train players at night, but we will assess daily and see how the players respond.
Today’s training will determine the squad. There is no need to take Bento out of goal, although Nawaf Al Aqidi performed well in the last match. Inigo may not be available, which could open a slot for eight foreign players on the field in tomorrow’s match.
My message is that the fans have supported us recently, and we have now entered the crucial period. We want the stands to be yellow. During these beautiful Ramadan evenings, we ask families to attend, enjoy the match, and achieve victory.
Fresh from sealing their place in the AFC Champions League Two quarter-finals with a narrow 1–0 victory over FK Arkadag, the Al-Nassr boss made it clear that his focus has quickly shifted back to the league.
With seven consecutive wins already under their belt, Al-Nassr know that victory against Al-Hazem would stretch that run to eight and keep the pressure firmly on leaders Al-Hilal in the title race.
Jesus also addressed Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent rest, confirming that the decision to give the 41-year-old a “night off” against Arkadag was purely technical.
Softfootball understands that the move was part of a broader workload management plan designed to keep Ronaldo fresh for the crucial stretch of league games ahead. The Portuguese star remains central to Al-Nassr’s title push after playing a key role in recent wins, including the 3–0 victory over Al-Kholood earlier in the season.
On team selection, Jesus revealed there will be no change in goal despite Nawaf Al-Aqidi’s strong showing in the last outing, insisting there is “no need” to drop Bento from the starting role while praising the competition between both keepers.
At the back, Iñigo Martínez is expected to return to the league lineup after serving a suspension due to yellow card accumulation, a boost to Al-Nassr’s defensive stability.
The Al-Nassr coach also touched on the squad’s adjustment to Ramadan, revealing that the players themselves requested training sessions before Iftar. Jesus described it as a new experience for him and his staff, stressing that the approach will be reviewed daily to ensure players remain physically sharp and well-balanced.
Looking ahead to the Al-Hazem clash at Al-Awwal Park, Jesus emphasized the importance of “defensive balance” and sticking to his tactical principles, aware that complacency could be costly despite Al-Nassr’s fine form.
With momentum on their side and the title race tightening, Al-Nassr will be aiming to turn control into three more points and keep their pursuit of the summit firmly on track.
