Cristiano Ronaldo Rested as Al-Nassr Travels to Uzbekistan Amid Regional Security Concerns
Cristiano Ronaldo is being rested for Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League trip to Uzbekistan, sitting out amid mounting security concerns that continue to impact top Asian soccer tournaments in Saudi Arabia. Coach Ange Postecoglou left Ronaldo off the roster for Monday’s match against Pakhtakor in Tashkent following a hat trick in a Saudi Pro League game that brought the forward to 985 career goals.
Match Pressures and Squad Rotation in Tashkent
Postecoglou explained to a news conference in Uzbekistan that he rested Ronaldo alongside Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan due to match pressures and heavy travel demands. Al-Nassr is currently ninth in the western zone group of the 32-team continental championship, making them the lowest-ranked among the Saudi league’s five representatives. The tournament splits into two groups of 16, with the top eight in each advancing to the knockout stage.
Despite the difficult start, the preparation conditions, and the lack of complete readiness at the beginning of the season, we have now reached an excellent stage,
Postecoglou said.
Earlier Disruption and Fixture Postponements
Ronaldo also received a rest last week when Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates declined to travel to Riyadh for a Champions League fixture, forcing the Asian Football Confederation to postpone the match. Regional security issues have disrupted the schedule previously, including an hour-long delay to Al-Nassr’s Oct. 12 home game following reports of missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Elsewhere in regional play, Al-Ahli sits third in its group ahead of a match against Al-Sadd in Qatar. The Jeddah club lost 6-1 at home on Friday but expects England striker Ivan Toney to play. Toney, who has 13 league goals this season, traveled to London last week for a court appearance where he pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. Meanwhile, fellow England forward Ollie Watkins scored for Al-Hilal as the Riyadh club claimed its fifth straight league victory to move top of the Saudi Pro League, ahead of a home fixture against Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.
Uncertainty Surrounding the Upcoming Asian Cup
While domestic fixtures proceed, persistent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have raised doubts about the Asian Cup scheduled to kick off in the country on Jan. 7. Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto questioned whether the tournament can proceed as planned during an AFC Congress last month, stating that the situation remains unsafe. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa noted that officials can monitor conditions through the end of November before deciding whether to proceed or push the tournament back a year to 2028. Saudi organizers maintain that preparations are continuing on schedule, with kickoff times and venues finalized.