Headline: Cristiano Ronaldo Left Behind as Al-Nassr Faces Security Concerns During AFC Champions League Match
Al-Nassr travelled to Uzbekistan for their AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor on Monday, but not every player made the trip. Cristiano Ronaldo stayed back in Saudi Arabia as part of a decision made by coach Ange Postecoglou, who opted to rest several key players including Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan due to ongoing security concerns in the region.
Postecoglou explained during a news conference that the choice to leave Ronaldo at home was influenced by “the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved.” His absence did not hinder the team’s performance, as Al-Nassr secured a commanding 6-2 victory, with former Chelsea star Joao Felix contributing two goals.
This match followed a postponement of Al-Nassr’s game against Al Wasl, a UAE club that declined to travel to Saudi Arabia amid rising tensions in the area.
Adding to the backdrop of Ronaldo’s situation, airports in Saudi Arabia have faced a wave of attacks from Houthi rebels, raising safety concerns.
Ronaldo, who recently scored a hat-trick against Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, has racked up nine goals in 12 appearances this season, pushing him closer to reaching a milestone of 1,000 career goals.
His omission from the Monday game coincided with renewed criticism from his former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag remarked that Ronaldo has struggled to perform at a high level for the past seven to eight years, suggesting that he lacks the professionalism required at the elite level.
He emphasized the balance necessary between top players and team dynamics, noting, “That is simply the problem with Ronaldo,” while acknowledging his extraordinary talent and status in football history. Ten Hag elaborated on Real Madrid’s ability to recognize when to part ways with players, asserting that they often know when a player’s skills are on the decline, allowing them to exit gracefully.
