Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s most iconic footballers, will not be part of Al Nassr’s opening match of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League against Iraqi side Al Shorta. The Portuguese star, who has been a key figure for the Saudi Arabian club, will miss the highly-anticipated encounter due to a viral infection. This marks a significant setback for Al Nassr in the start of their campaign in the prestigious continental tournament.
Ronaldo ruled out due to illness
Al Nassr confirmed Ronaldo’s absence on Sunday, September 15, via an official statement. The club revealed that their captain was diagnosed with a viral infection, which prevented him from travelling with the team to Iraq. As per the team’s medical advice, Ronaldo was instructed to rest and recover at home.
“Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo was not feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection. The team doctor confirmed that he needs to rest and stay at home. As a result, he will not travel with the team to Iraq today. We wish our captain a speedy recovery,” the club announced via its social media channels.
Ronaldo’s absence will surely be felt at Al Nassr, who have relied on the 38-year-old’s experience and leadership since his move to Saudi Arabia. Despite this setback, Al Nassr will be looking to make a strong start to their AFC Champions League campaign under head coach Luis Castro.
Al Nassr’s path to the 2024-25 AFC Champions League
Al Nassr, along with other Saudi clubs such as Al Hilal and Al Ahli, are part of the elite group stage of the 2024-25 AFC Champions League. The competition has adopted a new format this season, similar to the Swiss system used in the UEFA Champions League, with each team playing eight matches – four at home and four away.
Al Nassr’s first challenge in the group stage will be an away match against Al Shorta on Monday, September 16. They will then host Qatar’s Al-Rayyan again before travelling to Iran to face Esteghlal. Other key matches include a home clash with UAE side Al Ain, a trip to Qatar to play Al Gharafa and a final group stage match against Persepolis in Iran on February 17, 2025.
This season’s AFC Champions League is crucial for Al Nassr, and Ronaldo’s presence is expected to boost their chances of going far in the tournament. However, fans will have to wait a little longer for the Portuguese legend to make his debut in the 2024-25 competition, as he is expected to regain full fitness in the coming weeks.
The road ahead for Ronaldo and Al Nassr
Although Ronaldo’s absence will be a major blow to the team in his debut, Al Nassr still have a formidable squad capable of competing at the highest level. The team will now turn to other stars such as Anderson Talisca and Sadio Mane to lead the attack against Al Shorta.
Ronaldo is expected to return to the pitch soon, and fans are eager to see him in action as Al Nassr progress through the challenging group stage matches ahead. The club, which is aiming to make a significant impact on the continental stage, will get a much-needed boost in its quest for AFC Champions League glory.
For now, Al Nassr are hoping to secure a positive result in Iraq and get their campaign off to a good start, even without their talismanic captain.
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