Cristiano Ronaldo was notably absent from Al-Nassr’s 20-man squad for their crucial Saudi Pro League encounter against Damac on Tuesday, sparking plenty of conversation among fans and pundits alike.
The Portuguese icon, now 40, was left out of the matchday lineup as part of a strategic decision by head coach Stefano Pioli, who is prioritizing the club’s campaign in the AFC Champions League.
Joining Ronaldo on the sidelines was Sadio Mané, who missed the game due to suspension. With both stars unavailable, Colombian forward Jhon Duran was tasked with leading the line for Al-Nassr in this vital domestic fixture.
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According to reports from A Bola, Pioli is laser-focused on Al-Nassr’s continental ambitions. The Saudi side has advanced to the quarter-final stage of the AFC Champions League, where they’ll face Japanese champions Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday. With that high-stakes clash looming, Pioli opted to rest Ronaldo to ensure he remains fresh and fully fit.
This marks only the second time Ronaldo has missed a league game in the 2024–25 season. The last instance came in October 2024, when he was rested for a match against Al Kholood, which ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al-Nassr will be determined to secure all three points against Damac to stay in the title hunt.
They currently trail league leaders Al-Ittihad by 11 points and sit five points behind second-placed Al-Hilal. Every match from here on out is critical if they are to close the gap and reignite their championship hopes.
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