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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Portuguese superstar has been in fine form</li><li>Nursing a slight neck injury at present</li><li>Will be rested in continental competition</li></ul><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>

Explained: Why Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for Al-Nassr against Istiklol in AFC Champions League clash

Club Friendlies

FC Porto

Al Nassr FC

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has hit another purple patch in 2023-24, with the Portuguese superstar showing no sign of slowing down at 38 years of age. He has, in a bid to land more major honours, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/saudi-pro-league-top-scorers-2023-24/bltbf87fb6b46ca717c" target="_blank">registered 24 goals through 26 appearances</a> this season.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Three of those have come in continental competition, but he will not be given an opportunity to enhance that record against Tajikistan-based Istiklol. It has been revealed that Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro will rest Ronaldo for a final continental outing in Group E.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Al-Nassr are, with 13 points taken from five unbeaten matches in the AFC Champions League so far, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sa/afc-champions-league/table/1fedahp0rws09tj451onten8r" target="_blank">already safely through to the last-16</a>. With that in mind, they have no need to field talismanic captain Ronaldo. Instead, he will be given a well-earned break.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ronaldo has been <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-injury-scare-al-nassr-update-cr7-afc-champions-league-neck-issue/blt2c049c0d2aaf5f18" target="_blank">nursing a slight neck injury</a> of late, with tape strapped to him during a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/cristiano-ronaldo-title-dreams-saudi-pro-league-winners-losers-al-hilal-steven-gerrard/blt45d7ca74637de479" target="_blank">disappointing defeat to Saudi Pro League title rivals Al-Hilal</a> last time out, and a timely breather will give him a chance to fully recover from that ailment before returning to action against Al-Riyadh on Friday – with Al-Nassr having a King Cup of Champions quarter-final clash with Al-Shabab to come after that.

WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Explained: Why Cristiano Ronaldo will not play for Al-Nassr against Istiklol in AFC Champions League clash | Goal.com English Bahrain

Cristiano Ronaldo will not figure for Al-Nassr in their AFC Champions League clash with Istiklol on Tuesday, it has been revealed.