Cristiano Ronaldo is out! Al-Nassr drop CR7 from Saudi Pro League squad to face Damac as Stefano Pioli looks ahead to Asian Champions League quarter-finals

Ronaldo was not part of the 20-man travelling Al-Nassr squad to face Damac in a crucial league clash on Tuesday. Sadio Mane, too, was missing from the matchday squad due to suspension. In the absence of the star duo, Jhon Duran will lead Al-Nassr's attack.

Per A Bola, Stefano Pioli is prioritising the club's journey in the AFC Champions League, where they have reached the quarter-final stage and are set to take on J1 League giants Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday. To keep the 40-year-old forward fresh for their continental clash, the Italian coach decided to rest Ronaldo.

This is only the second time in the 2024-25 campaign that the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid legend has missed a Saudi Pro League game for Al-Nassr. The last time he was excluded from the squad was in October 2024 against Al Kholood, which ended in a 3-3 draw.

Despite Ronaldo not featuring in the lineup, Al-Nassr will hope to get all three points from Tuesday's clash to remain in the Saudi Pro League title race. They currently training leader Al-Ittihad by 11 points and second-placed Al-Hilal by five points.