Revealed: Why Cristiano Ronaldo did not travel to India for FC Goa vs Al-Nassr AFC Champions League Two clash

Saurav Goyal

•
Revealed: Why Cristiano Ronaldo did not travel to India for FC Goa vs Al-Nassr AFC Champions League Two clash image

Cristiano Ronaldo fans in India were left disappointed after it was confirmed that the football legend would not be part of Al-Nassr’s squad for their AFC Champions League Two match against FC Goa.

The Saudi club touched down in Goa on Monday night, but Ronaldo was noticeably missing from the team list and that sparked curiosity among fans.

Al-Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus has now revealed the reason behind the star’s absence as the Portuguese coach put all rumours to rest.

Add AllSportsPeople as a preferred news source

Why did Cristiano Ronaldo skip the trip to India?

Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus confirmed that Ronaldo has been rested for the India trip. Speaking to reporters, he explained that the decision was taken to keep the 39-year-old fresh for upcoming key fixtures in Saudi Arabia.

“Everyone loves Cristiano Ronaldo, and he has a huge fan base everywhere. But we decided to rest him when we play outside Saudi Arabia. He is staying in Riyadh and preparing for the next important matches,” Jesus said.

The coach assured fans that Al-Nassr still boast a strong side, which will face FC Goa, featuring names like Sadio Mané, João Félix, and Iñigo Martínez, all of whom are expected to feature in the starting XI.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo’s unexpected new look leaves fans guessing

How has Al-Nassr performed in the AFC Champions League Two?

Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr have been dominant in the AFC Champions League Two campaign so far. The Saudi club has won every match in the tournament and sits comfortably at the top of their group.

More: Real Madrid vs. Juventus, 2018: Revisiting dramatic UCL quarterfinal, from Ronaldo wondergoal to Buffon rant

In their previous games, Al-Nassr defeated Istiklol 5-0 and Al-Zawraa 2-0, showing that they remain a powerhouse even without their captain.

Their current form makes them strong favourites to continue their unbeaten run in Goa.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo feature in the next Al-Nassr match?

Coach Jorge Jesus hinted that Ronaldo is likely to return for Al-Nassr’s next league and cup matches back in Riyadh.

The team is managing his workload carefully to ensure that he remains fit for crucial upcoming fixtures in domestic and continental competitions.

While fans in India will miss the chance to see the global icon in action, the Goa clash still promises to be an exciting contest between Al-Nassr and FC Goa.

RELATED LINKS

Contributing Writer