Why Is Cristiano Ronaldo Not Playing In Al Nassr Vs Al Sadd AFC Champions League Elite Match?

Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, is notably absent from Al Nassr’s squad for their highly anticipated AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Sadd. This absence has sparked widespread curiosity and speculation among football fans worldwide, raising questions about the reasons behind Ronaldo’s non-inclusion.

CAF Suspension: The Primary Factor

The primary reason for Ronaldo’s absence stems from a disciplinary sanction imposed by the English Football Association (FA) following an incident that occurred while Ronaldo was still a Manchester United player. In April 2022, Ronaldo was found guilty of improperly contacting a young fan’s phone after Manchester United’s defeat to Everton. The FA subsequently handed Ronaldo a two-match ban, which extends to his current club, Al Nassr.

AFC Champions League Eligibility Criteria

The AFC Champions League, Asia’s premier club competition, has specific eligibility criteria that must be met by participating players. One such criterion is that players must not be subject to any active suspensions. Since Ronaldo’s two-match ban is still in effect, he is ineligible to play in the AFC Champions League until the suspension is served.

Disappointment and Frustration

The news of Ronaldo’s ineligibility has undoubtedly been met with disappointment and frustration by both Ronaldo himself and Al Nassr fans. Ronaldo, who joined the Saudi Arabian club in January 2023, was widely expected to make his debut in the AFC Champions League, the most prestigious club competition in Asia. However, the CAF suspension has put those plans on hold.

Al Nassr’s Alternative Options

In Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr will have to rely on other attacking options for their AFC Champions League match against Al Sadd. Anderson Talisca, the Brazilian forward, is expected to lead the line, while Vincent Aboubakar, the former Cameroon international, could also feature. Al Nassr will need to find a way to compensate for Ronaldo’s goalscoring prowess if they want to progress in the competition.

Conclusion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s CAF suspension is the primary reason for his absence from Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite match against Al Sadd. The two-match ban, imposed by the FA for an incident involving improper contact with a young fan’s phone, has rendered Ronaldo ineligible to play in the competition until the suspension is served. While Al Nassr will undoubtedly miss Ronaldo’s presence, they will have to rely on their other attacking options to overcome Al Sadd and progress in the AFC Champions League.