Is Cristiano Ronaldo starting tonight for Al Nassr vs Gamba Osaka in ACL 2 final?

Knights of Najd won their last major continental silverware back in 1998

Al Awwal Park in Riyadh gears up to host the Finals of the AFC Champions League 2, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia gears up to lock horns with former AFC Champions League winners, Gamba Osaka of Japan.

A historic night awaits in the Saudi capital city of Riyadh as the Knights of Najd are so close to clinching their first-ever major continental trophy in 28 years. Al Nassr have won every single game to make it to the finals of the AFC Champions League 2 Finals.

After getting the better of FC Goa, Istiklol and Al Zawraa, the Knights of Najd topped Group D. They went on to defeat Arkadag, Al Wasl and Al Ahli to emerge as the best team from the West region. But they have a final hurdle left in the form of Japanese giants, Gamba Osaka, in the finals.

Ahead of this crucial game, Jorge Jesus will be without the services of Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Mubarak Al Buainain, Angelo and Raghed Najjar. But the big question tonight is, will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight in the crucial final match against Gamba Osaka?

Also Read: Al Nassr vs Gamba Osaka prediction, odds, where to watch, time

Is Cristiano Ronaldo starting tonight for Al Nassr vs Gamba Osaka in ACL 2 final?

Despite Ronaldo being fit and available, the Portuguese legend faced a surprise bench risk due to a congested fixture list. Reports suggested that former Benfica gaffer Jorge Jesus was considering resting Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Al Nassr’s title-deciding fixture against Damac in SPL Final Matchweek.

But Ronaldo starts tonight.

Al Nassr were just minutes away from sealing the fate of the Saudi Pro League, but a late blunder against Al Hilal saw them relying on the final game against Damac to decide their fate. Given the seriousness of the next game, Jorge Jesus might be sceptical of fielding Ronaldo in a potential 120-minute game if the final goes to extra time against Gamba Osaka.

So far, Ronaldo has played 3 games in ACL 2 and has two goal contributions to his name, including a goal and an assist.

However, this is a once-in-a-while opportunity for Al Nassr to win a major continental trophy in front of their home fans in Riyadh. After all, this is a historic night as Ronaldo can finally end Al Nassr’s continental drought after a long wait of almost three decades.

Given that Gamba Osaka are a solid team and Ronaldo’s impactful presence in Al Nassr games, it is highly likely that Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting lineup for the big finals against Gamba Osaka to lift their first continental silverware in 28 years.

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