Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr's matchday squad for their AFC Champions League match as the club provided update on their captain.
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Article continues below
- Ronaldo out of Al-Nassr squad
- Pioli provided update on Ronaldo's fitness
- Al-Nassr face Esteghlal on Monday
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Cristiano Ronaldo has not travelled to Tehran with the Al-Nassr squad after the Portugal icon was left out of their matchday squad that will face Esteghlal in the first leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 fixture. While Ronaldo missed out, stars like Jhon Duran, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic have travelled to the Iranian capital.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Per (h/t ) Al-Nassr reportedly wrote to the AFC to change the venue of the game to a neutral stadium due to problems Ronaldo faced in Tehran in the past. AFC, however, did not entertain the Saudi giants' request. The official letter from Al-Nassr read: "Given Ronaldo's bad experience in Tehran last year, the match should be played on neutral ground."
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WHAT STEFANO PIOLI SAID
Speaking to reporters, Al-Nassr boss Stefano Pioli offered an update on his star man: "He had a physical problem, but I wouldn't say it was 100% a big problem, but we preferred him not to be in the game."
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DID YOU KNOW?
This will be the third time that Al-Nassr will play in Iran. Ronaldo's first and only match in Tehran was against Persepolis in the AFC Champions League in September 2023, which the Saudi side won 2-0. The match was played in an empty stadium as Persepolis fans were serving a stadium ban, but that did not stop the local fans from storming into the team hotel to meet the ex-Manchester and Real Madrid legend. Police had to intervene to control the crow and that incident was considered as a 'big problem' for the superstar.
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