Virus-Hit Cristiano Ronaldo to Miss Al Nassr Champions League kickoff

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr’s first Asian Champions League Elite match due to a viral infection. The Portuguese star, diagnosed on Sunday, was advised to rest, preventing him from participating in the opener against Iraqi team Al Shorta on Monday.

Al Nassr’s Statement on Ronaldo

Al Nassr confirmed Ronaldo’s condition in a statement on social media platform X. “Captain Cristiano Ronaldo did not feel well today and tests revealed he had a viral infection,” the club announced. “The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at home. As a result, he will not travel with the team to Iraq. We wish our captain a speedy recovery.”

Medical report 📄 pic.twitter.com/EXaas0K1In

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) September 15, 2024

Ronaldo, who aims to add the Asian Champions League title to his already illustrious career, will be absent in a critical match for Al Nassr. His team faces a tough test without their star player, but they remain hopeful of starting the tournament on a positive note.

Al Nassr and Saudi Clubs Pose a Strong Threat

Al Nassr, along with other Saudi Arabian clubs, has emerged as a significant force in the competition after major investments in star players like Ronaldo and Neymar. This revamped format of the Asian Champions League Elite, which starts Monday, features 24 teams divided into East and West groups.

Each team will face eight different opponents in the group stage. The top eight teams from each zone will advance to the last 16, played over two legs in March. Saudi Arabia will host the final stages, scheduled from April 25 to May 4.

New Format and Major Investments

As part of the tournament’s revamped format, the final rounds will feature a knockout-style mini-tournament. The prize pool for this year’s competition is at least $12 million, increasing the stakes for participating teams. Saudi Arabia, set to host the 2034 World Cup, is positioning itself as a dominant player in global football.

Saudi clubs, including Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Neymar’s Al Hilal, are expected to perform strongly. Al Nassr’s quest for continental glory will continue after this initial setback, with other players stepping up in Ronaldo’s absence.

Ronaldo played Al Nassr’s previous match in the Saudi League but will now focus on his recovery. Al Nassr, currently 6th in the Saudi League with 5 points after three matches, will need to regroup and rely on their squad depth. They are already four points behind in the title race and need to turn things around in the coming months.