Cristiano Ronaldo Heroics Forces Al Nassr Boss to Exclude $27 Million Star Ahead of AFC Champions League Clash

Last night, Al Nassr played their Roshn Saudi League fixture against Al Khaleej. Once again, Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show as he helped his side clinch an easy 2-0 victory. In fact, the Portuguese superstar’s performance left such an impression on the Al Nassr boss that he has reportedly decided to exclude his $27 million star with an AFC Champions League game on the horizon.

On the pitch, the Riyadh-based club continues to be in top form, as they continue to extend their winning streak.

Al Nassr boss is set to sideline soccer veteran

After clinching an easy 2-0 victory in the Saudi Pro League, Al Nassr will be preparing for their AFC Champions League clash. The Knights of the Najd will be playing their group-stage game against Qatari side Al Duhail. While the anticipation for the upcoming match surrounds both teams and the fans, Al Nassr boss Luis Castro has taken a bold decision before the clash.

The Portuguese tactician has decided to exclude his star forward, Sadio Mane, from the next match. Additionally, he will be retaining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Otavio, Marcelo Brozovic, Aymeric Laporte, and Anderson Talisca. With the current form, CR7 and his frontline teammates are in, none of them seem droppable. While this report about Sadio Mane comes across as a surprise to many, the Portuguese soccer veteran has at least managed to cement his own spot on the team following a string of top performances.

Notably, Mane gave an excellent performance in the King’s Cup against Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq. The former Liverpool man managed to clinch a late winner in extra time to help his side progress through the next stage of the competition. However, despite such heroics, Castro is reportedly preparing to not start the Senegalese.

Perhaps the Al Nassr boss has enough faith in his team’s skipper that feels comfortable sidelining Sadio Mane. Speaking of which, let’s dive deeper to know more about Ronaldo’s emphatic performance last night.

Cristiano Ronaldo steals the show

Last night, Cristiano Ronaldo managed to put on a show for his ardent fans while playing against Al Khaleej. The Portuguese superstar managed to score an outrageous goal from outside the box to break the deadlock in the 26th minute. Additionally, Aymeric Laporte managed to double the score with his strike in the 58th minute, thanks to Ronaldo’s assist.

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Certainly, CR7’s goal-scoring show doesn’t seem to stop. With this goal, the skipper continues to lead the top-scorer charts of the Saudi Pro League, notching 12 goals so far. Furthermore, he also tops the assists chart with over seven assists. Indeed, his soccer prowess continues to age like fine wine, as we say. Will Al Nassr go on to win the Saudi Pro League this season? Let us know in the comments below.

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