In a surprising tactical move that sparked widespread debate in Saudi sports circles, Al-Nassr's Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus, decided to exclude the team's captain and Portuguese legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, from the squad for the highly anticipated derby match against Al-Ittihad. This crucial match, scheduled for Friday as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League, represents a significant turning point in the team's season.
The decision to exclude him came as a shock to Al-Nassr fans, especially since Ronaldo had actively participated in the team's group training session on Wednesday, giving strong and positive indications of his physical and technical readiness for the match. Expectations had pointed to Ronaldo's return to lead Al-Nassr's attack after his absence from the team's last match against Al-Riyadh on Monday in the 20th round, but coach Jesus's tactical decisions prevented this.
These dramatic events coincided with a very special occasion for the Portuguese star, as Al-Nassr FC and its fans around the world celebrated Cristiano Ronaldo's birthday, which falls on February 5th. The Portuguese legend turned 41, having been born in 1985, and continues to make history on the football field despite his age, proving that age is just a number when it comes to passion and high professionalism.
Looking at the numbers, which don't lie, Ronaldo boasts a formidable scoring record with Al-Nassr, having played 133 matches for the team across various domestic and continental competitions. During this illustrious career, the Madeira native has scored 117 goals and provided 22 assists for his teammates, making him the team's most potent attacking force.
In the Saudi Professional League specifically, Ronaldo's dominance is striking. The legend has scored 91 goals in just 95 appearances in the competition, in addition to providing 17 assists. These figures reflect the immense talent the team will sorely miss in tonight's match against Al-Ittihad. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how coach Jesus will manage the Clasico without his key player, in a match where a draw is not an option.
