Cristiano Ronaldo to miss Al Nassr match against Pakhtakor
The forward has been rested due to match pressure and significant travel requirements, according to coach Postecoglou.
Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo will not play in the AFC Champions League Elite match against Pakhtakor in Tashkent on Monday, according to Sportstar.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and Australia head coach Postecoglou stated at a news conference in Uzbekistan that he rested Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman, and Mohamed Simakan. He cited the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved as the reasons for the decision.
Ronaldo has been a regular starter for Al Nassr this season, scoring nine goals in 12 appearances. His recent hat-trick against Al Kholood in the Saudi Pro League brought his career goal tally to 985.
Al Nassr is currently ninth in the western zone group of the 32-team tournament. The club is aiming for its first-ever Asian title.
The club's previous tournament match against Al Wasl was postponed after the United Arab Emirates side declined to travel to Riyadh. Al Nassr's home game on October 12 was also delayed by one hour following reports of missile attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Postecoglou noted that despite a difficult start and lack of complete readiness at the beginning of the season, the team has now reached an excellent stage.