Cristiano Ronaldo will be absent from Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League round of 16 first legs against EsteghlalPlanned to take place in Tehran, Iran. The decision to leave Ronaldo from the squad was made by Al Nassr, with reference to security problems related to the player’s security.
This follows a tummy travel to Tehran last season where the team bus was blocked by protesterswhich resulted in a seven -year travel ban for Saudi Arabian citizens entering Iran. The club’s decision emphasizes the significant security risks associated with playing the match in Tehran and the protective measures taken to protect Ronaldo.
Before the match, Al Nass formally requested that the game be played in a neutral place rather than in Tehran. The cited security problems related to the player’s security as the main reason for their request, citing the significant disruption caused by the protests that occurred during the team’s previous visit to Tehran.
But Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rejected Al Nassr’s requestclaims that the match would be held during the highest security measures and ensure the security of everyone involved.
The decision to exclude Ronaldo from the squad
Despite AFC’s insurance, Al NassR finally decided to leave Cristiano Ronaldo from the squad for the trip to Iran. This preventive measure prioritizes the security and security of the superstar playerGiven past events and ongoing geopolitical tensions. The decision reflects a pragmatic strategy that prioritizes their star players’ well -being over the potential benefits of having him on the pitch.
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Ronaldo’s absence from the match adds Al Nassr’s existing injuries. Several key players, including Otavio, Laporte, Abdulrahman Gharib, Ali Lajami, Abdullah Al Khaibari and Sultan Al Ghannam, are allies due to injury.
This further combines the challenges facing the team and highlights the difficulties in managing a competitive squad in front of several players. The team is already weakened because of these absence.
This Asian Champions League round with 16 legs against Esteghlal is a crucial match for Al Nassr. The result will affect their chances of moving on to the next round.
