Brozovic’s Injury Saga: Will He Make the Saudi Clash or Sit It Out?
20 October 2025
Injury Update
Saudi outlets reported the expected absence of Marcelo Brozovic, the Croatian midfielder for Al Nassr, due to injury, with mixed signals about his participation in the upcoming match against Al Ittihad.
Brozovic suffered the injury in the 19th minute of the Al Fateh game on Saturday, which forced Jorge Jesus to substitute him with Abdullah Al-Khibray.
Medical tests reportedly showed a small tear in the adductor, requiring a treatment and rehabilitation program of about a week before he can return to team training.
Impact on Schedule and Ronaldo
As a result, it is confirmed that Brozovic will miss the Al Nassr vs Jawa India match in ACL 2 Group Stage, but is expected to be ready for the October 28 King Salman Cup clash with Al Ittihad.
Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadhia cited private sources saying the player will be out for roughly one to two weeks depending on his response to the rehabilitation plan.
He is unlikely to participate in the El Clasico against Al Ittihad, a blow for the midfield engine of the team.
Brozovic’s Role and Ronaldo’s Travel
The Croatian midfielder has been a cornerstone of Nassr’s midfield since arriving from Inter Milan, bringing tactical discipline and smart positioning that have balanced defense and attack.
Ronaldo’s travel with Jawa India was the subject of discussion, with the club president stating Nassr did not confirm Ronaldo’s attendance despite 85 visas being issued. The president noted that visa clearance does not guarantee travel or participation.
The Jawa India chief hinted that the match could be the biggest in Indian football if Ronaldo attends, with sponsorships and banners ready the moment his name is confirmed.
Meanwhile, Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has decided to rest Ronaldo for all ACL 2 group-stage matches to keep him fresh throughout the season.
October Challenges and Historic Form
As a result, Ronaldo has missed the first two group-stage ACL 2 matches for Nassr, while the team pushed on with league duty and continental tension in mind.
Brozovic’s leadership has been complemented by Nassr’s early-season form, which has seen five straight wins in the Saudi Pro League, scoring 19 goals while conceding only two and keeping three clean sheets, according to SofaScore, giving Nassr the league’s top rating of 7.30.
The early momentum evokes earlier championship runs in 2014-2015 and 2018-2019, when Nassr opened strongly and built toward titles, underlining the club’s ambition this season.
Historically, five consecutive league wins in 2014-2015, followed by a title under various coaches, and a similar five-win start in 2018-2019, are cited as a blueprint for contemporary success. Yet the October calendar is unforgiving: after facing Jawa India in ACL 2 on Oct 22, Nassr will host Al Hazm, then meet Al Ittihad in the King’s Cup Round of 16, and finish the month against Al Fayha 48 hours after the classic.
