Al Nassr's coach openly explains why Ronaldo was excluded from the lineup

Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from Al-Nassr’s 2-1 win against FC Goa in the AFC Champions League, with coach Jorge Jesus addressing the reasoning behind this surprising choice.

During the match held at Fatorda Stadium (India), Al-Nassr secured a 2-1 win over FC Goa in the third group stage match of the AFC Champions League. However, fans worldwide were shocked that Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in the matchday squad. Instead of injury or suspension, the Portuguese star was rested by coach Jorge Jesus as part of a planned strategy.

“Everyone loves Cristiano Ronaldo; he has fans all around the globe. But we decided to rest him whenever the team plays outside Saudi Arabia. Everyone wants to see him on the field, but we had to make a choice, and this time we opted to keep him in Riyadh to prepare for the next game,” Jorge Jesus explained during the press conference.

According to the Portuguese manager, leaving Ronaldo in Riyadh is part of a long-term fitness management plan. At 39 years old, the Al-Nassr superstar needs to maintain peak condition for the Saudi Pro League matches, where the team is fiercely competing for first place.

“Ronaldo is very popular outside Saudi Arabia, especially in India, Iraq, and Hong Kong. However, we prioritize keeping him focused and ready for upcoming important matches,” he added.

Without CR7, Al-Nassr still showed consistent performance relying on young talents and other foreign stars. Brazilian forward Angelo Gabriel scored the opener in the 10th minute, while Harouane Camara doubled the lead in the 27th minute. FC Goa managed to reduce the deficit to 1-2 thanks to Brison Fernandes’ goal in the 41st minute. The match also featured notable players such as João Félix, Sadio Mané, and Coman for Al-Nassr.

Jorge Jesus expressed complete satisfaction with his players' performance. “We are here to win. Al-Nassr is improving every day and has many outstanding talents, both Saudi and foreign players. Our goal is to help them develop to the highest level,” the Portuguese coach emphasized.

Following this win, Al-Nassr continues to lead their AFC Champions League group and strengthen their position in Asia. Ronaldo is expected to return on October 25 when the team faces Al-Hazm in the Saudi Pro League. This match is crucial for Al-Nassr to maintain their top spot, and CR7’s comeback is anticipated to provide great motivation for the entire squad.

Jorge Jesus’ decision to rotate and manage Ronaldo’s fitness demonstrates Al-Nassr’s long-term approach, balancing domestic success with continental competitiveness. With steady form and an experienced squad, the Saudi club continues to prove they are among the top contenders for the AFC Champions League title this season.

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