Culture Axis: New Preds, Messi answers 'Stoke' question & more

Flimsy Liverpool risk letting down Messi-like Salah in title race

The Curious Case of Marcelo

Man Utd three-peat or MLS? Pogba's transfer options - ranked

UCL Power Rankings: Barca No.1 after lucky draw as Liverpool fall

Editors' Picks

Walker’s wife Kilner jets to Dubai for night out with Rooney

Antony's hot Betis start is over as Barca flop Roque sees red

'I regret leaving Barca' - Former wonderkid admits mistake after Camp Nou exit

Bompastor admits 'lying for 13 years' over secret relationship

UCL last-16 draw: Liverpool land PSG, Arsenal face PSV

INEOS to distance Man Utd from past as Ferguson blamed for struggles

Maguire, you lucky boy! VAR & Bruno save despairing Amorim

Title race run? Lewis-Skelly red card madness costs Arsenal

<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ronaldo left out of Al-Nassr squad</li><li>Chose padel game over Champions League clash</li><li>Became commentator for final match in Riyadh</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Cristiano Ronaldo picks padel game over Al-Nassr! CR7 snubs AFC Champions League showdown to become a commentator on final competition in Riyadh

Saudi Pro League

Al-Wehda

Al Nassr FC

1. Division

Persepolis

Esteghlal

<p>The Saudi giants decided to rest their 40-year-old star in their dead rubber AFC Champions League clash against Persepolis on Monday. Along with Ronaldo, new signing Jhon Duran was also left out of the travelling squad. Sadio Made has been included in the matchday team but has started the game on the bench.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>With Ronaldo staying back in Riyadh, he enjoyed his time off by streaming the final of Riyadh Premier Padel on his official YouTube channel. He also featured in the broadcast of the Padel game as a commentator.</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="362" src="https://youtube.com/embed/AbklN9B55Jg" title="YouTube video player" width="644"></iframe>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>On the pitch, Ronaldo is still <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-final-career-goals-man-utd-coach-cr7-objectives-lebron-james-target-involving-portuguese-goat-son/blt9b4b88b27269a562" target="_blank">going strong despite turning 40 earlier this month</a>. He has scored 16 goals in 19 league appearances in the 2024-25 campaign and is <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-us/lists/karim-benzema-reacts-saudi-pro-league-golden-boot-battle-cristiano-ronaldo-real-madrid-team-mates-form-al-ittihad-al-nassr/blt24a5ffda136c3e08" target="_blank">leading the race for the Golden Boot award</a>.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>After facing Persepolis on Monday, they will be back in action in the Saudi Pro League on Friday as they take on Al-Ettifaq at home.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Cristiano Ronaldo picks padel game over Al-Nassr! CR7 snubs AFC Champions League showdown to become a commentator on final competition in Riyadh | Goal.com

Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of the Al-Nassr squad that travelled to Tehran for their AFC Champions League clash against Persepolis.

Next matches