In a surprising turn of events, Cristiano Ronaldo did not take part in Al Nassr’s important AFC Champions League clash against Al Sadd, where the team faced its first loss in the tournament. Despite his absence, Al Nassr had a promising start but ultimately fell 2-0 to Al Sadd at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh on October 3, 2023. Al Nassr’s head coach, Luis Castro, clarified Ronaldo’s situation, stating, “Cristiano is working hard and is likely to return soon,” but emphasized the need for squad rotation. The match initially appeared favorable for Al Nassr, who controlled the ball for much of the first half, but failed to convert their chances, which included several shots on goal and a missed penalty kick by Anderson Talisca in the 25th minute. Al Sadd capitalized on the mistakes, scoring first through Akram Afif’s goal in the 55th minute, followed by a second goal from Ali Almoez in the 70th minute. This loss comes as a disappointment for the team, which had been unbeaten in the league previously. The defeat places additional pressure on Al Nassr as they look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming fixtures.
Cristiano Ronaldo Misses AFC Champions League Match as Al Nassr Faces First Loss
