Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing in Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match?
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing in Al Nassr vs Al Taawoun Saudi Pro League 2024-25 match?
Al Nassr is set to host Al Taawoun for their Saudi Pro League 2024-25 clash at the Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, on Friday.
The Riyadh-based side is placed in fourth place on the points table and has 63 points from 31 matches. Al Nassr thrashed Al Akhdoud 9-0 in its previous league match, the side’s biggest win in the club’s history.
Skipper Cristiano Ronaldo was not named in Al Nassr’s matchday squad for its Saudi Pro League fixture against Al Taawoun. He was also absent from his side previous squad that faced Al Akhdoud.
Reports suggested that the Portuguese forward was kept out of the squad because of physical exhaustion. He has played 39 games in all competitions this season, scoring 33 goals and assisting four in this period.
The last time he was substituted off before the full-time whistle was during the side’s win against Yokohama FM in the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals.
Additionally, the decision must have been made after taking into consideration that Al Ittihad has already secured the title with two games to spare, after beating Al Raed 3-1 on Thursday.
This also provides head coach Stefano Pioli the chance to give playing time to the youngsters who missed out for the majority of the season.
