Cristiano Ronaldo stayed on the sidelines as Al-Nassr cruised to a 4-0 victory over Jeddah in the King Cup of Champions round of 32.
The Saudi giants eased into the next round, but all eyes were on the bench, where their biggest star remained seated.
Fans were left wondering why the 40-year-old forward, fresh off a brace last weekend, didn’t kick a single ball.
Al-Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus cleared the air after the game. Speaking to reporters, he explained, “I was looking to maintain his fitness and prepare for the upcoming matches in the Saudi Pro League.”
The Portuguese boss added that keeping Ronaldo fresh was key for the battles ahead.
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Ronaldo rests while Felix shines
While Ronaldo watched from the dugout, Joao Felix stepped up in style.
The former Chelsea forward grabbed a goal and an assist, keeping his hot streak alive. Felix now has seven goals across competitions and looks to be enjoying his Saudi adventure.
Fans joked that Felix “carried the GOAT’s torch” for the night, proving that Al-Nassr’s attack still bites even without its biggest name.
The game itself was one-way traffic. An early own goal set the tone before Wesley doubled the lead.
Substitutes Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane, and Felix turned the second half into a training ground showcase. Al-Nassr finished with 72 percent possession and 14 shots on target, leaving Jeddah chasing shadows.
Ronaldo, who has already scored four times this season, is expected to return when Al-Nassr face Al-Ittihad in a key Saudi Pro League clash on Saturday.
With the league title the main prize, Jesus appears determined to manage his star carefully.
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