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Al-Nassr offer Cristiano Ronaldo update after Portugal star left out of travelling squad for AFC Champions League last 16 tie

AFC Champions League Elite

Esteghlal

Al Nassr FC

<p>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.</p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">AlNassr’s squad list for Esteghlal! 🗒️ <a href="https://t.co/EAm5Ac1cfh">pic.twitter.com/EAm5Ac1cfh</a></p>— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlNassrFC_EN/status/1896176990958547152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Per <em>DPA news agency </em>(h/t <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14448233/Cristiano-Ronaldo-safety-concerns-bad-experience-prompt-Al-Nassr-request-venue-change-Asian-Champions-League-game-Iran.html" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Mail</em></a>) 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."</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>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."</p>

WHAT STEFANO PIOLI SAID

<p>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.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The 40-year-old will be back in action on March 7 when Al-Nassr take on Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Al-Nassr offer Cristiano Ronaldo update after Portugal star left out of Al-Nassr squad for AFC Champions League last 16 tie | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr&apos;s matchday squad for their AFC Champions League match as the club provided update on their captain.

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