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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ronaldo excluded from Al-Nassr's matchday squad</li><li>Pioli wants the veteran star to take rest</li><li>Riyadh club needed late winner to beat Al-Hazem</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Why Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Al-Nassr squad as Saudi Pro League side steal late win in King's Cup clash against second-tier Al-Hazem - explained

<p>The 39-year-old Portuguese star was among several top players who failed to make it to Stefano Pioli's matchday squad as Al-Nassr faced Al-Hazem in a King's Cup round of 32 clash. <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr-steven-gerrard-al-ettifaq/blt1cc00df9cc0e821e" target="_blank">Ronaldo had featured and scored</a> in the club's 3-0 win over Al-Ettifaq last Friday.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗒 || Starting lineup,<a href="https://twitter.com/AlNassrFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlNassrFC</a> vs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AlHazem?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AlHazem</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaudiNationalDay94?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaudiNationalDay94</a> <a href="https://t.co/15zMv969An">pic.twitter.com/15zMv969An</a></p>— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlNassrFC_EN/status/1838224942048887291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2024</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Per Saudi Arabian newspaper <em>Al-Jazirah</em>, Pioli decided to exclude Ronaldo from the matchday squad as he wanted the veteran star to get some rest ahead of their upcoming crucial Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions fixtures against Al-Wehda and Qatari club Al-Rayyan respectively. Marcelo Brozovic and Ali Lajami, on the other hand, are currently undergoing rehabilitation.</p>

THE EXPLANATION

<p>Ronaldo had missed the AFC Champions League opener against Al-Shorta last week after suffering from a virus as Al-Nassr were held to a 1-1 draw. He recovered from his illness in time ahead of the Al-Ettifaq clash later that week.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Al-Nassr took a 1-0 lead in the King's Cup clash courtesy of a strike from Sadio Mane at the stroke of half-time, but the second-tier side fought back with a second-half equaliser. Al-Nassr ensured their spot in the next round with a late goal from Nawaf Boushal.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Why Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Al-Nassr squad as Saudi Pro League side steal late win in King's Cup clash against second-tier Al-Hazem - explained | Goal.com United Arab Emirates

Cristiano Ronaldo was excluded from the Al-Nassr matchday squad for their King&apos;s Cup clash against Al-Hazm.

Why Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Al-Nassr squad as Saudi Pro League side steal late win in King&apos;s Cup clash against second-tier Al-Hazem - explained