Saudi Arabian giants Al Nassr FC have arrived in India on Tuesday to face FC Goa in the AFC Champions League Two — but without their biggest star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar, who has a clause in his contract allowing him to choose whether to travel for matches outside Saudi Arabia, opted not to make the trip. Despite repeated requests from the Indian club, Ronaldo decided to skip the tour, according to Saudi outlet Al Riyadhiyah.
FC Goa had earlier described the upcoming clash as a “historic moment” after being drawn in the same group as Al Nassr. The Indian club had been eagerly anticipating the chance to host Ronaldo, with the match billed as the biggest in Indian club football history.
Although Ronaldo will not feature, Al Nassr have still brought a star-studded squad to Goa, including Sadio Mané, João Félix, Íñigo Martínez, and Kingsley Coman.
The Group D fixture will take place tomorrow at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. Al Nassr currently lead the group after winning both their opening matches, while FC Goa sit at the bottom following two straight defeats.
Reports suggest that Ronaldo is staying back in Riyadh to prepare for Al Nassr’s upcoming King’s Cup Round of 16 match against Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad. Coach Jorge Jesus is reportedly not keen to exert extra pressure on the 40-year-old forward, who has yet to play a minute in this season’s AFC Champions League Two.
LND/SAE
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