Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted from Al Nassr’s starting lineup for two consecutive Saudi Pro League matches. Interestingly, in the first game without the Portuguese superstar, Al Nassr thrashed Al Akhdoud 9-0 — the biggest win in the club’s history.
However, in the second match, once again leaving Ronaldo on the bench, Al Nassr faced the flip side of the coin. They were held to a 1-1 draw at home against mid-table side Al Taawoun on Friday night.
This draw proved costly for Al Nassr, who now sit fourth in the league table, just one point behind third-placed Al Qadsiah.
Securing a top-three finish is crucial for direct qualification to the AFC Champions League. With only two matches remaining, Ronaldo’s absence has added some concern within the Al Nassr camp.
So why was Ronaldo left out twice in a row? It’s not due to a lack of form. This season, across all competitions, Ronaldo has played 39 matches, scoring 33 goals and providing 4 assists.
According to media reports, the management decided to rest Ronaldo primarily due to fatigue. Whenever he plays for Al Nassr, Ronaldo typically completes the full 90 minutes. The last time he was substituted before full-time was during the AFC Champions League Elite quarter-final victory over Yokohama.
Another factor is that Al Nassr is no longer in the title race. With two games remaining, Al Ittihad, led by Karim Benzema, have already been crowned champions. Head coach Stefano Pioli has therefore chosen to rest Ronaldo and test younger players in the remaining fixtures.
