Cristiano Ronaldo, the renowned Portuguese soccer star, was unable to participate in Al-Nassr’s debut match in the AFC Champions League Elite tournament on Monday due to a viral infection. The Saudi Arabian club confirmed that Ronaldo did not travel with the team to Iraq for their game against Al-Shorta.
Al-Nassr issued a statement saying, “Ronaldo wasn’t feeling well and was diagnosed with a viral infection.” The team physician advised rest for the 38-year-old forward, preventing his participation in this inaugural match of Asia’s new top-tier club competition.
This setback comes shortly after Ronaldo’s impressive performances for Portugal in the Nations League, where he scored against both Croatia and Scotland, extending his men’s record for international goals to 132.
Ronaldo, who has won five UEFA Champions League titles during his illustrious career in Europe, is yet to secure a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi club in December 2022. The AFC Champions League Elite, replacing the previous AFC Champions League, represents a new opportunity for Ronaldo to add to his extensive list of accolades.
Fans eagerly anticipating Ronaldo’s debut in the Elite tournament may now have to wait until September 20, when Al-Nassr is scheduled to face Qatari club Al-Rayyan in Riyadh.
The absence of Ronaldo, one of soccer’s most recognizable and marketable stars, is a significant blow to the tournament’s opening stages. However, it underscores the unpredictable nature of sports and the importance of player health in high-level competitions.
