Ronaldo Rest Sparks Baghdad Showdown: Al-Nassr Eyes AFC Champions League 2 Group Lead
30 septembre 2025
Rosters Arrive; Ronaldo Absent
All eyes are on Baghdad as Al-Nassr travel to face Al-Zawraa at the Shaab International Stadium, scheduled for 9:15 PM local time, in the second match of the AFC Champions League 2 group stage. The clash pits the group leaders against the runner-up in a four-team group that also includes Istiklol Dushanbe and Goa FC.
The away team arrives with momentum from a resounding opener—Al-Nassr defeated Istiklol Dushanbe 5-0—while Al-Zawraa edged Goa 1-0, setting up a direct showdown for top spot.
Jesus Explains the Rest Time
Al-Nassr’s squad landed in Baghdad with a full complement of goalkeepers, except the young Mubarak Al-Buainain, who featured for the under-21s against Al-Raed, alongside eight foreign professionals: Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozovic, Martinez, Mohammed Seymekan, Kingsley Coman, Brazilian keeper Bento, Angelo Gabriel, and Portuguese Joao Felix.
Nevertheless, the spotlight fell on the absence of captain Cristiano Ronaldo and Weslei, drawing attention amid fans’ eagerness to glimpse the Portuguese icon on Iraqi soil. In the press conference, Jorge Jesus disclosed why Ronaldo sat out: “I thought this is the right time to give him a rest. Cristiano is 40 years old now, and naturally we fear fatigue and injuries. So I preferred to exclude him from the match against Al-Zawraa.”
Earlier reports suggested Ronaldo would skip friendly matches in the ACL while being available for the decisive knockout rounds; thus, Ronaldo misses a second straight game after sitting out the opener vs Istiklol.
Hard News for Iraqi Fans; A Test of the Global Duo
The absence of Ronaldo has disappointed Al-Zawraa’s supporters and Iraqi football followers, recalling a similar scenario in 2023 when Ronaldo was slated to face Al-Nassr in Karbala but was absent as well. Still, attention remains on how the rest of the star-studded lineup—Mané, Coman, Brozovic, and Felix—will perform against a historically strong Iraqi club with a dedicated fanbase. Abdul Ghani Shah, Al-Zawraa’s coach, remarked that Ronaldo is a global star and his presence adds value, but the focus will be on Al-Nassr as a complete unit featuring standout players. Captain Jalal Hassan, the goalkeeper, added that playing at home with a huge crowd increases responsibility but that the team will stay focused inside the pitch, free from external distractions.
Al-Nassr head into the game with heightened confidence after topping the Saudi Pro League with a perfect 12 points after four rounds, highlighted by Ronaldo becoming the club’s all-time league scorer with 78 goals, surpassing Abdul Razak Hamdalк. This domestic form fuels ambitions for continental success as the team aims to secure early qualification and concentrate on the league and domestic cups.
Matches like this are a stern test away from home, in a potentially raucous atmosphere. A victory could put the “global” side in a strong position to lead Group D early and ease the path into tougher knockout rounds. While Ronaldo’s absence persists, fans eagerly await the contributions of the remaining global stars as the quest for an Asian title continues.
As for Al-Zawraa, Shah concluded, “Ronaldo is a world superstar and his presence adds value to any match, but our focus is on Al-Nassr as a complete team, with players of high caliber.”
In Baghdad, the home crowd will hope for a spirited showdown and a result that keeps them in the picture. For Al-Nassr, it’s a chance to assert dominance in the group and set the tone for the rest of the continental campaign.
Punchline time: If Ronaldo sits, does the ball also take a knee to applaud the coaching staff’s wisdom? And if rest is this strategic, maybe the team should start a calendar titled “Ronaldo Retirement Planning—Season 40.” Just kidding—until the whistle blows, expect the drama to keep getting more dramatic than a late-night telenovela.
