Ronaldo Sidelined for Al-Nassr's Trip to Uzbekistan Amid Security Fears

Cristiano Ronaldo was a high-profile omission from the Al-Nassr squad that traveled to Uzbekistan for Monday's AFC Champions League clash. The 41-year-old Portuguese icon remained behind as the club navigated a complicated fixture against Pakhtakor in Tashkent, amid a backdrop of heightening regional tensions.

While the manager, Ange Postecoglou, officially cited the physical toll of the current season as the reason for the absence, media reports suggest that security concerns played a significant role. Ronaldo was not the only star left out, as teammates Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan also did not make the trip. The coach explained his selection choices during a pre-match press conference.

"given the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved"

Ange Postecoglou

The decision follows a period of instability for the tournament. Only last week, Al-Nassr’s scheduled home match against Al-Wasl had to be postponed after the UAE-based club refused to fly to Riyadh. Security in Saudi Arabia has been under scrutiny following reports of militant attacks on infrastructure. Earlier in the competition, another Al-Nassr home fixture was delayed by an hour due to reports of missile activity in the area.

Clinical Win Without the Captain

Despite the absence of their captain, Al-Nassr delivered a clinical performance on the pitch, securing a 6-2 victory. In Ronaldo's stead, Joao Felix took center stage, netting twice to lead the team to a much-needed win. The result helps the Saudi side climb the standings in the western zone group, where they have struggled to find consistency early in the campaign.

Ronaldo’s absence comes just as he was gaining significant momentum. He recently scored a hat-trick against Al Kholood in domestic play, bringing his career total to 985 goals. The veteran remains focused on reaching a historic four-digit milestone.

"I want to reach 1,000 goals. If I don't have any injuries, this for me is the most important."

Cristiano Ronaldo

Off the field, Ronaldo's influence remains unparalleled. According to financial reports, he has become the first footballer to reach multi-billionaire status, with his annual earnings estimated at £225 million. However, not everyone is convinced by his current form. Former manager Erik ten Hag recently suggested that the forward's peak ended years ago, claiming he has struggled to deliver top-tier performances since leaving Real Madrid.