Cristiano Ronaldo fans were left in shock when they noticed the absence of the Portuguese captain from Al Nassr’s matchday squad against Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League on Friday. The football icon, who has been in stellar form, scoring six goals and providing two assists in seven league appearances this season, did not feature in this crucial fixture.

Why Is Cristiano Ronaldo Not Playing in Al Nassr vs Al Kholood?

Ronaldo’s exclusion has raised many eyebrows, particularly because he netted the winning goal in Al Nassr’s last game against Al Shabab in a 1-0 victory. However, there are no reports of an injury, and this seems to be a strategic decision by coach Stefano Pioli, possibly to conserve Ronaldo’s energy for the Asian Champions League.

At the age of 39, managing Ronaldo’s fitness has become crucial, especially in a season where Al Nassr is looking to make a deep run in the Champions League. While there are no confirmed reports of injury, the team’s management is likely prioritizing his long-term availability.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Recent Health Issues

Just last month, Ronaldo missed a Champions League fixture due to a viral infection, sitting out the clash against Al Shorta. Al Nassr had informed fans via social media that their captain was “not feeling well” and had been advised to rest.

Previous Incident: Ronaldo’s Viral Infection

“Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo was not feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection,” the club posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at home. As a result, he will not be traveling with the team to Iraq today. We wish our captain a speedy recovery.”

Potential Impact on Al Nassr’s Season

Ronaldo’s fitness is a pivotal factor in Al Nassr’s campaign, and his absence could affect their performance in critical games like this. However, the decision to rest him might be aimed at preserving his form for the bigger challenges that lie ahead.u can also read abouthttps://footballaudience.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-you-tube-views/

Al Nassr Lineup Without Ronaldo

Below is the lineup Al Nassr deployed for the clash against Al Kholood, missing their star forward.

Table 1: Al Nassr Starting XI Without Ronaldo

Key Substitutes for Al Nassr

Table 2: Key Substitutes for Al Nassr

Al Kholood’s Starting XI for the Match

Table 3: Al Kholood Starting XI

Fan Reactions to Ronaldo’s Absence

Social media has been flooded with reactions from fans, both disappointed and understanding of the club’s decision to rest their talisman.

Conclusion: What’s Next for Ronaldo?

As Al Nassr pushes forward in the Saudi Pro League and the Asian Champions League, the management will have to ensure Ronaldo’s peak fitness for the season’s crucial stages. His absence from this game could be a blessing in disguise, providing him with much-needed rest to shine in future key fixtures.