Cristiano Ronaldo, the star player of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, is set to miss the team’s upcoming match against Iran’s Persepolis in the AFC Champions League. The match, scheduled for Monday, will see Al-Nassr travel to Iran for their eighth group-stage game.
Reports suggest that Al-Nassr’s coach, Stefano Pioli, has decided to rest Ronaldo to keep him fresh for future matches, especially since the team has already secured a spot in the next round of the tournament. This move also allows Ronaldo to focus on the upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Al-Ettifaq, which is considered more important.
In addition to Ronaldo, other key players like Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Otávio, and Sultan Al-Ghannam are also expected to be rested due to injuries. Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte might also sit out, with French defender Mohamed Simakan likely to take his place. However, Simakan will miss the next league game due to a red card suspension.
Al-Nassr currently holds the third position in their AFC Champions League group with 16 points, while Persepolis is struggling in ninth place with just 6 points, making this match crucial for their slim chances of advancing.
Cristiano Ronaldo will not travel to Iran
