Why Cristiano Ronaldo Missed Al Nassr’s Last Match & When is The Star Forward Expected to Return?

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Stefano Pioli started his tenure as Al Nassr's head coach with a hard-fought 2-1 win over second-division side Al Hazem in the Round of 32 of the King Cup of Champions on Monday (September 23).

While the struggle for victory was notable, much of the post-match buzz revolved around the absence of the team's star player and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who had missed an AFC Champions League match earlier this month due to illness, made a winning return to the starting lineup in Al Nassr's 3-0 win over Al Ettifaq last Friday (September 20).

His exclusion from the Al Hazem fixture raised concerns among fans, who were eager to see their talisman in action. But there is nothing much to worry. According to recent reports, Pioli decided to rest Ronaldo as a precaution.

The Portuguese forward, now 39 years old, has been managing injury scares over the past few months, and the coaching staff deemed it necessary to preserve his fitness for a busy upcoming schedule.

With critical Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League matches on the horizon, Pioli prioritized Ronaldo's recovery to ensure he is in peak condition for the most important fixtures.

Al Nassr's packed fixture list includes a key league clash against Al-Wehda on September 27, followed by an AFC Champions League showdown with Al-Rayyan on September 30. Given the high stakes of these matches, the former AC Milan manager opted to rest his star player to avoid aggravating any potential injuries.

Despite the rest, Ronaldo's form this season has been nothing short of spectacular. The veteran forward has already tallied five goals and two assists in six appearances across all competitions, continuing to defy expectations as he nears his 40th birthday.