Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Indian Super League side FC Goa will host Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in a highly anticipated Asian Champions League Two Group D fixture, a contest hailed as one of the biggest moments in Indian club football history. The group also features Tajikistan’s Istiklol and Iraq’s Al-Zawraa, with the top two teams progressing to the second round.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment for FC Goa,” said club CEO Ravi Puskur. “To host Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo is arguably the biggest game in Indian club football history. We are here on merit, and this is our chance to show we can compete on the continental stage.”
The match, scheduled for September, is expected to see Al-Nassr at full strength. Apart from Ronaldo, the Saudi side features stars like former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane and Portuguese international Joao Felix, who joined from Chelsea in July.
Puskur believes the fixture will have an impact far beyond the pitch. “It’s a unique opportunity to bring global attention to Indian football and spark greater interest among fans across the country. The exposure, sponsorship interest, and fan engagement from such a game can strengthen our foundations and support long-term growth,” he said.
The historic draw comes amid turbulence in Indian domestic football. The 2025–26 ISL season, originally set to begin in September, has been suspended due to uncertainty over the renewal of the organising agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Ltd., pending a Supreme Court verdict. Some clubs, including Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Chennaiyin FC, have suspended salaries or halted operations until a resolution is reached.
Despite the challenges, Puskur remains optimistic. “While the financial boost from a game like this is important, the bigger picture is the opportunity it creates for Indian football’s future,” he said.
