Al Nassr Rival Faces Major Setback as Yannick Carrasco & Vitinha Ruled Out for Cristiano Ronaldo Faceoff Citing Injury

2024 cannot get any better for Al Nassr, starting off with three wins in three games in all competitions. The journey keeps getting better with their best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, in fine form. However, the club does need some fortune to have any chance in the Saudi Pro League this year. With their main rivals this season, Al Hilal, being too hard to reach at the top, each and every game counts. And the club has found some fortune as Al Shabab’s key players, Yannick Carrasco and Vitinho, will miss the game tomorrow.

It has already been a long walk for the White Lions. The club is currently placed 10th in the table, having won just 6 games out of 20. And losing their current-season signings in such a big fixture is a blow. Although the type of injuries and their severity for both players are not yet known, Carrasco is not very familiar with injury issues. Vitinho, on the other hand, arrived from Al Ettifaq on loan, missing most of the last season.

Carrasco has been a crucial player for Al Shabab. Even though he scored just two goals this season with three assists, he has been pivotal in handling the gameplay. The Belgian also reportedly has the most successful dribbles this season in the Saudi Pro League with 31, which is six more than Al Hilal’s Salem Al-Dawsari. The last time Carrasco faced a problem with injury was in January 2023 due to muscle issues.

Meanwhile, Al Shabab started this year with a win against the 6th-placed Damac last week. The club does not have the luxury of financial backing that its Riyadh rivals, Al Nassr and Al Hilal, do. Both giants, backed by PIF, brought many world-class players, spending hundreds of millions.

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However, Al Shabab’s only major signing last summer was Carrasco. But their new signing, Ivan Rakitic, can add a lot of value with his experience of winning multiple Spanish League and UEFA Champions League titles. The player will face his former rival from Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cristiano Ronaldo chases an unlikely league title

The game against Al Shabab will be a good opportunity to keep the momentum going. Although Al Hilal is 7 points clear at the top of the SPL table, a sudden dip in a couple of games can resurrect the title race again. From Al Nassr’s side, the club will rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to lead them.

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On the other hand, the team has also been suffering from injury issues. Anyway, the team in yellow will be the favorites in an interesting contest. Which team will get through the injury crisis tomorrow and win the tie? Let us know in the comments.