Cristiano Ronaldo has a virus and did not travel to Iraq with Al Nassr for Monday's AFC Champions League Elite debut match at Al Shorta, the Saudi team announced on Sunday.
Al Nassr said that the Portugal forward "wasn't feeling well" and "was diagnosed with a viral infection," adding that the team physician confirmed he needs to rest, meaning he will miss the contest against the Baghdad-based club.
Ronaldo's absence is a significant blow to Al Nassr, who are hoping to make a strong start to the tournament. The Portuguese star is one of the most decorated players in the world, and his presence would have given Al Nassr a significant advantage over their opponents.
Despite Ronaldo's absence, Al Nassr remain confident in their ability to secure a strong start to the tournament. With a deep roster and high expectations, they are among the favorites to advance to the later stages of the competition.
Their first test comes against Al-Shorta, a team eager to take advantage of Ronaldo's absence. For Al-Shorta, this presents a golden opportunity to challenge Al Nassr without the Portuguese icon on the field. Nonetheless, Al Nassr will look to set the tone early and establish themselves as serious contenders, even without their marquee player.
AFC Champions League Elite: New Format, High Stakes
The AFC Champions League Elite is a new format for Asia's top club tournament, replacing the traditional AFC Champions League. The new format features a group stage followed by a knockout stage, with the top teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
The new format is designed to make the tournament more competitive and exciting, with more teams having a chance to compete for the title. The tournament also features a new prize pool, with the winner receiving a significant financial reward.
Ronaldo's Absence Could Be a Setback
Ronaldo's absence from the AFC Champions League opener is a setback for Al Nassr, but it is not a disaster. The team still has a strong roster, and they will be looking to make a statement in the tournament.
Al Nassr have been busy in the transfer market this summer, signing a number of high-profile players, including Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mane, and Marcelo Brozovic. These players will be looking to fill the void left by Ronaldo, and they will be hoping to lead Al Nassr to victory in the AFC Champions League Elite.
What's Next for Al Nassr?
Al Nassr will be looking to bounce back from Ronaldo's absence and make a strong start to the AFC Champions League Elite. They will be hoping to secure a win in their opening match against Al Shorta, and they will be looking to go all the way in the tournament.
The team will also be hoping to use the AFC Champions League Elite as a platform to showcase their talent to the world. With a number of high-profile players on their roster, Al Nassr are looking to make a statement on the international stage.
The team's performance in the AFC Champions League Elite will be closely watched by fans around the world. With a strong roster and a new format, the tournament is set to be one of the most exciting in Asia.
