Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight against Esteghlal FC in the AFC Champions League?

Global football icon and Portuguese great Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite clash against Esteghlal FC tonight, the club announced through its social media handles. The 40-year-old is said to be dealing with a minor physical injury and will therefore miss the trip to Iran.

Ronaldo’s absence comes in as a major blow for the Saudi Arabian outfit heading into their RO16 clash. Cristiano Ronaldo is Al Nassr’s icon in front of the world and is also their most influential man on the pitch. Al Nassr’s head coach Stefano Pioli also informed the media about Ronaldo’s absence and said that the club has decided to rest him for this game.

“He had a physical problem. I wouldn’t say it was 100% a big problem, but we preferred him not to be in the game,” Pioli asserted. 

Al Nassr’s Performance in the AFC Champions League Elite

Al Nassr have been one of the most dominant sides in the continental championship. They have maintained an almost flawless run of form and have lost just one game in eight outings. The Sun club have won five games while playing two draws in the group stage. They have maintained the joint best defensive record in the league having conceded just six goals in eight games.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Influence

Cristiano Ronaldo is the side’s top scorer in the competition with six strikes to his name, including four goals in just the last two games. The skipper has been the driving force behind their run in the competition. The likes of Sadio Mane and Anderson Talisca will have to step up to the occasion and fill in the absence of Ronaldo in the first leg of their last 16 clash against Esteghlal FC.

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