Why did Cristiano Ronaldo miss Al Nassr vs Al Kholood match in SPL?

(Courtesy : Getty)
Ronaldo was not named in the matchday squad
Tonight, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Al Kholood took on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr in a crucial Saudi Pro League match. Al-Nassr entered the match in excellent form and were comfortably in third place after winning five of their last seven games and drawing two of them.
However, with only one victory in their last seven games, Al Kholood were in dire need of one. Because both teams want to win, the game appeared to be a furious battle.
In the AFC Champions League in Dubai, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr defeated Esteghlal 1-0 thanks to a goal from Aymeric Laporte.
In what was a generally unpleasant night for Al-Nassr, Ronaldo was undoubtedly the best player on the field. Because he was the centre of attention, his teammates had more room, and the 39-year-old tried to take advantage of it. He was the mastermind behind Al-Nassr’s goal, which gave them the three points on the road, even though he didn’t appear on the scoresheet.
Currently ranked third in the league, Al Nassr traveled 370 kilometers to the North-West to play one of the league’s recently promoted teams, Kholood. Al Kholood were just above the relegation zone on goal differential after only five points from their first seven games.
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo not play against Kholood?
The first meeting between the two clubs is sure to be an exciting one. On paper, Al Nassr were far superior on paper, but Kholood managed to earn a well-deserved 3-3 draw. In this match, Cristiano Ronaldo was not even named on the bench for the match.
Related: Cristiano Ronaldo asks fans for ‘help’ after missing Al Nassr vs Al Kholood match
While the real reason is not confirmed so far, but Ronaldo’s absence from the full squad could have been a strategic move by the manager, with the team doing well in the Asian Champions League and several other big matches upcoming in the near future. There has been no reported injury about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner so far.
Cristiano Ronaldo still remains the main man for Al Nassr. After his outstanding play for both club and nation since the beginning of the season, fans will be hoping for him to continue his fine form for the Saudi side this season and finally lead them to the title.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.
After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw: Live streaming, TV channel, start time & where to watch
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw: Where and how to watch & more
- Hull City vs Middlesbrough Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | EFL Championship 2025-26
- Lille vs Marseille Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Ligue 1 2025-26
- Brest vs AS Monaco Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Ligue 1 2025-26
- WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo scores stunning bicycle kick in Al-Nassr's 4-1 win over Al-Khaleej
- Top five best matches to watch this weekend after November international break; Arsenal vs Tottenham & more
- Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Who has received most red cards?
- Cristiano Ronaldo: List of all goals for Al Nassr
- Top five players with most goals in football history