Held on Monday at the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Najran, Cristiano Ronaldo was a conspicuous absence from Al Nassr’s team for their Saudi Pro League 2024-25 game against Al Akhdoud.
Following a 2-3 loss to league leaders Al Ittihad in its last game, the Riyadh-based side presently ranks fifth in the points table with 60 points from 30 games. Al Nassr has been essentially knocked out of the Saudi Pro League title contest by the setback, which adds to recent disappointment following a loss to Japanese side Kawasaki in the AFC Champions League Elite stage.
Why was left out Cristiano Ronaldo?
Media sources claim that indicators of physical tiredness have maybe led Al Nassr’s head coach Stefano Pioli to choose to rest Cristiano Ronaldo. Playing the whole 90 minutes against both Al Ittihad and Kawasaki, the 39-year-old Portuguese star has been quite active in recent games.
Ronaldo’s last substitute was during Al Nassr’s quarterfinal triumph over Yokohama FM in the AFC Champions League Elite stage a game that marked the last time he was rested before full-time. He has regularly played whole matches since then, which begs questions about tiredness as the season draws to an end.
Resting his talisman could be a calculated action to keep Al Nassr fresh for next events or possible continental play-offs, now out of the title fight and unsure about a direct AFC Champions League qualification.
Al Nassr and Ronaldo’s next move?
Al Nassr will seek to regroup and guarantee a strong finish as the Saudi Pro League season draws to an end, therefore preserving their ambitions for continental participation. Although Ronaldo’s comeback is expected shortly, the team is probably going to evaluate his condition before calling him back on action.