Ronaldo benched for Arkadag clash: Jesus reveals the real reason behind the absence
10 February 2026
Why Ronaldo Was Left Out
Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus explained the real reason Cristiano Ronaldo missed Arkadag in ACL2. Al-Nassr visit Arkadag for the first leg of the last-16, with the return in Riyadh a week later. Ronaldo did not travel with the squad to Turkmenistan, confirming his absence for a third straight match.
What Comes Next
The coach cited rest for Ronaldo and several regulars as the main reason, aiming to keep everyone fresh for a busy spell ahead. He hinted that Ronaldo’s stance on distribution of money and staff payments abroad may have influenced considerations, but added, \"I decided to exclude Ronaldo from Arkadag, not he refused to play.\"
Al-Nassr’s next challenge is a crucial league game against Al-Fateh, so Jesus said the squad would be ready and rested for that encounter.
Ronaldo’s absence followed similar decisions in matches against Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, and reports say a possible return could come with the weekend clash in Roshen.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's absence is framed as a tactical rest rather than a departure from the team's plan. The club and coach emphasize readiness for the next important fixtures, starting with a big home tie.
Punchline 1: Even Ronaldo sitting on the bench is a goal in disguise—it's called forward planning.
Punchline 2: If excuses were assists, Ronaldo would lead the league.
