Why Cristiano Ronaldo was Absent in Al-Nassr’s 2-1 Win Over Al-Hazem: Unveiling the REPORTED Reason

Al-Nassr won a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Al-Hazm in the Round of 32 in a riveting King Cup of Champions contest. Sadio Mané started the score with a goal in the 45th minute; Al-Hazm equalised in the 62nd minute with Basil Yousef Alsayyali. The game seemed headed for extra time until Nawaf Boushal sent Al-Nassr through to the next round with a spectacular victory in the 90+2nd minute. Al-Hazm's path in the competition came to an end, although it was a brave attempt. At the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Al-Nassr controlled possession and shots, demonstrating their offensive ability.

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Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss the Al-Nassr vs Al-Hazma King Cup of Champions RO32? 

A fresh report explains why Cristiano Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr's King Cup of Champions Round of 32 game against Al-Hazem on September 23. In the absence of their best player and star captain, Al-Nassr won a hard-fought 2-1, but managed to win with a crucial stoppage time goal.

After the old coach Luis Castro was sacked last week, the new head coach Stefano Pioli, decided to start Sadio Mane and the star Brazillian Anderson Talisca in the offensive roles while Cristiano Ronaldo was out of the squad for this fixture. Mane opened the score right before half (45'+6), helped by Sultan Al-Ghannam.

Basil Yousef Al-Sayyali equalised for Al-Hazem in the second half (62'), and Al-Nassr won courtesy to a late goal by Nawaf Boushal (90'+2).

Ronaldo's absence was reported to be a calculated move by Pioli to rest him for next important games in the Saudi Pro League and the AFC Champions League, per Saudi publication Al-Jazirah (via GOAL). Al-Nassr has a packed schedule, including a crucial league game against Al-Wehda on September 27 and an AFC Champions League match against Al-Rayyan on September 30.

Ronaldo has been in exceptional form this season, with Al-Nassr recording five goals and two assists in six games across all competitions. He turns 40 in a few months but still remains one of the top athletes in the world scoring regularly and having edged over all of his rivals.