After last year’s quarter-final disappointment, Al Nassr is back to kick off their AFC Champions League 2024-25 campaign. The Saudi team is set to face Al Shorta in their opening match in Iraq, but a surprising absence has caught everyone’s attention—Cristiano Ronaldo.
Not only is the 39-year-old missing from the bench, but he also didn’t make the trip to Iraq with his teammates, which raised questions. Is it an injury concern? While this is often the case when Ronaldo is absent, this time, it seems that’s not the issue. However, this doesn’t mean he is completely fit.
Ahead of the game, Al Nassr revealed that Ronaldo was diagnosed with a viral infection. The team shared on X (formerly Twitter), “Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo was not feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection.” The unfortunate news continued: “The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at home. As a result, he will not be traveling with the team to Iraq today. We wish our captain a speedy recovery.” With Ronaldo unavailable, Anderson Talisca stepped into an unusual role on the field in his place.
Ronaldo had just returned from playing for his country in the Nations League, during which he reached the milestone of 900 career goals. On September 13, he rejoined Al Nassr in a match against Al Ahli. Assuming there are no further complications with his recovery, he is expected to feature in Al Nassr’s upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Al-Ettifaq. Following that, a crucial King Cup of Champions Round of 32 showdown against Al Hazm awaits him. Ronaldo, now with 900 career goals, is determined to continue his journey toward the unprecedented 1,000-goal mark. However, one of his long-standing records is now under threat from a new challenger—Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
**Erling Haaland on the Verge of Breaking Cristiano Ronaldo’s Record**
Since joining Manchester City, Erling Haaland has proven to be a formidable force, making record-breaking look easy. Now, he stands on the brink of surpassing a record held by Ronaldo. The Portuguese legend set the record for the fastest player to reach 100 goals for a club, achieving this feat with Real Madrid in just 105 matches.
Impressively, Haaland has scored 99 goals in just 103 appearances. With one more match to solidify his name in soccer history, all eyes are on him. However, his next challenge won’t be easy, as Manchester City faces Inter, the same team they defeated in last season’s Champions League final. This match promises to be full of drama and anticipation, making it a must-watch for soccer fans.
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