In a clash brimming with tension and last-minute drama, Al-Nassr edged Damac 3-2 in the Saudi Pro League to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive. But amidst the late heroics and the scramble for points, a singular question hovered over Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City on Tuesday night: Where was Cristiano Ronaldo?
The Portuguese icon’s absence from the matchday squad was glaring. Fans, pundits, and media alike were left wondering: had he been injured? Was there a suspension? Or had something more serious occurred behind the scenes?
With Ronaldo out and Sadio Mane also unavailable, the burden of carrying Al-Nassr forward fell on less expected shoulders. The match unfolded in wild fashion. Damac struck first through an unusual own goal that saw Abdelkader Bedrane’s header rebound off the post and ricochet off Ramzi Solan into the net.
Just seven minutes later, Aymeric Laporte equalized, reacting quickly to a poorly cleared corner and firing through traffic for his fourth league goal of the season. It set the tone for a chaotic encounter. After the break, Ali Al-Hassan fired Al-Nassr ahead with a tidy finish into the top corner, only for Nicolae Stanciu to answer back within three minutes, his curled effort a thing of beauty.
But it was Sultan Al-Ghannam’s 94th-minute winner that sealed it — a scrappy finish in a crowded box that sent the Al-Nassr faithful into ecstasy. The result moved them to 60 points, just two behind second-placed Al-Hilal and kept them marginally ahead of Al-Ahli, who also secured a 3-2 victory over Al-Wehda.
Why was Ronaldo missing?
It wasn’t until after the match that clarity emerged regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s surprise omission. The decision, according to multiple media sources, was a calculated one.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has been given a rest by Al-Nassr manager Stefano Pioli to ensure he is fully prepared for the imminent AFC Champions League quarterfinal against Yokohama Marinos,” reported several outlets.
The 40-year-old talisman has been central to Al-Nassr’s continental campaign, and with a vital clash just days away, Pioli chose to manage his star’s workload carefully. The absence of Sadio Mane, due to accumulated yellow cards, compounded the decision to shift tactics — moving from a 4-4-2 to a more expansive 4-3-3, with Jhon Duran leading the line.
“This tactical call is designed to keep the 40-year-old in top shape for the key continental matchup,” stated the club’s media sources.
