\n Rodgers, who became the head coach of Al-Qadsiah last month, took on Ronaldo’s side, managed by Jorge Jesus, at Al-Awwal Park.\n<\/p>\n
\n The two were spotted warmly embracing each other before the match.\n<\/p>\n
\n Rodgers had the last laugh when his team achieved a 2-1 away victory against the Saudi Arabian side, despite Ronaldo scoring a penalty in the second half.\n<\/p>\n
\n\n Cristiano greets Al Qadsiah coach, Brendan Rodgers<\/a>.pic.twitter.com\/CDXWeAIhfo<\/a>\n <\/p>\n
\n \u2014 Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) January 8, 2026<\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
\n Goals from Julian Quinones and Nahitan Nandez ensured a third consecutive win for Al-Qadsiah under Rodgers, having collected 10 out of a potential 12 points since he took charge.\n<\/p>\n
\n Their recent success has seen them climb to fourth place in the Saudi Pro League, trailing eight points behind league leaders Al-Hilal.\n<\/p>\n
\n Reflecting on his recent move to Saudi Arabia, Rodgers brought with him assistants John Kennedy<\/a> and Jack Lyons, both of whom he previously worked with at Celtic<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “When I first arrived (here), it made a real family feeling. From the first time we arrived, all the staff and all the people have looked after us so well. It gave me a really, really positive feeling.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Rodgers also praised the quality of the Saudi Pro League and its participants, acknowledging the high-level skill set of players and the calibre of managers across the teams.\n<\/p>\n
\n He added: “Clearly, what the Saudi Pro League has is top players and top coaches. I feel that when you study, and you look at the quality of the games, a lot of the games are of high quality.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I’m really excited about working in the league against the top teams and some of these fantastic coaches that are already in this great league.”\n<\/p>\n
\n He expressed confidence that the league’s standard improves with every season, claiming that it has the potential to be a top league in the world.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “There’s no doubt that season on season it (Saudi Pro League) is improving.\n<\/p>\n
\n “There is clearly a top five league in European football and world football, and the Saudi Pro League is a league that, year on year, is improving and getting better, and obviously, it is attracting some fantastic players.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I think it’s a really competitive league. It’s a real great challenge, and it’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”\n<\/p>\n