Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in Al-Nassr’s squad for their King’s Cup game against Al-Hazem.
The 39-year-old Portuguese legend, along with many major players, did not feature in the round of 32 clash. Ronaldo had played and scored in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 victory against Al-Ettifaq just days earlier.
Al-Jazirah, a Saudi newspaper, explained Ronaldo’s coach, Stefano Pioli, did not include him in the match because he wishes to let him rest ahead of crucial upcoming matches in the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League against Al-Wehda and Qatari side Al-Rayyan. While Ali Lajami and Marcelo Brozovic are still down with injuries, they are already recovering.
Ronaldo was also not included in Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League first game against Al-Shorta the week before because of illness, as the team was held to a 1-1 draw. He was, however, back from illness for the Al-Ettifaq game.
Al-Nassr took a 1-0 lead in the King’s Cup game just before halftime through Sadio Mane, but Al-Hazem, a second-tier team, did not give up as they fought back to equalize in the second half of the game.