Al-Nassr confirm Cristiano Ronaldo will not travel to India | Football News
Al-Nassr FC have confirmed that their captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, will not be part of the travelling squad that will arrive in India later tonight.Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or award winner, has missed the previous two AFC Champions League Two games, at home and away, and will now sit out of the group-stage clash against FC Goa at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on October 22.The Saudi Pro League giants are expected to arrive here on Monday night.FC Goa have been waiting for a confirmation from Al-Nassr since Ronaldo’s arrival here would mean detailed security arrangements. Goa police too had officially sought a status report on the Portugal superstar’s arrival.“Al-Nassr have informed FC Goa today that Ronaldo will not travel,” a source who has been tracking the development told TOI on Monday. “Even when FC Goa sought confirmation yesterday, they were asked to wait till today. The club is expected to make an official statement now.”Coach Jorge Jesus and the management believes it’s important to manage Ronaldo’s game time, particularly since the star is now 40 and keen to take part in next year’s FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be his record sixth appearance at the biggest sporting event on earth. Lothar Matthaus, Antonio Carbajal, Rafa Marquez, Gianluigi Buffon, Andres Guardado, Guillermo Ochoa and Lionel Messi are the others in the elite club of players with appearances at five different World Cups.Even without Ronaldo, Al-Nassr have done well in the AFC Champions League Two, winning both their games. The Saudi football giants defeated FC Istiklol 5-1 at home and then put it across Al Zawraa 2-0 in Iraq to move to the top of the table.Besides Ronaldo, Al-Nassr have several stars like Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Inigo Martinez and Kingsley Coman, all of whom have been involved in the previous ACL2 group games.FC Goa are yet to score in the AFC Champions League Two games, losing both matches 2-0.
