Cristiano Ronaldo Ditches Meeting With Saudi Minister to Focus on Al Hilal vs Al Nassr in Riyadh Season Cup

Cristiano Ronaldo is “Back in Action,” as per his recent Instagram post. Now his only focus is the on-field action against Al Hilal in the decisive Riyadh Season Cup match. Ronaldo quashed his injury woes by going rogue at the club’s training session ahead of the Riyadh Derby. To commit fully to those training sessions, the Al Nassr skipper snubbed a meeting with the Saudi Arabian minister and Chairman of the General Authority of Entertainment, Turki Alalshikh.

“I had a meeting scheduled with Cristiano Ronaldo about a sports project that would be held for him by the Entertainment Authority. He refused to attend the meeting in order to fully focus on today’s meeting,” said Turki Alalshikh referring to Al Nassr’s meeting against Al Hilal. Al Nassr plays Al Hilal after losing against them during their last two meetings. Besides, Al Hilal tops the Saudi Pro League table and boasts an advantage over Ronaldo and Co. But a win in today’s matchup means Al Nassr can bring home the coveted Riyadh Season Cup.

Anyhow, Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence for the Riyadh Derby will be a game-time decision for Al Nassr boss Luis Castro. Ronaldo injured his calf while in China, forcing Al Nassr to cancel their friendlies with Chinese Super League clubs. The injury also kept Ronaldo in the stands, when his team took on his generational rival Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Since the 39-year-old has resumed training with the club, he is reportedly expected to start for the Knights of Najd today. Though Ronaldo has skipped his meeting, Turki Alalshikh seems to be cheering on Al Nassr for the Riyadh Derby. Besides, he also made a bizarre revelation about CR7 and Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus.

Saudi minister bets on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr after a hilarious revelation

“My prediction is that the trophy will go to Al Nassr,” said Turki Alalshikh, referring to the winner-takes-all Riyadh derby. Soon enough, the Saudi minister shed light on a hilarious exchange between Ronaldo and Al Hilal boss, Jorge Jesus. “When we met with Jorge Jesus and Cristiano, Jesus said, ‘We’ll beat Al Nassr by 3 goals’. And Cristiano replied, ‘You’ll win by 3 goals only on PlayStation,” Tuki Alalshikh added. 

READ MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo Extends Support to 2 Al Nassr Players Under Investigation Over Refusal to Play for Saudi Arabia

However, Al Nassr only won once during the club’s last five meetings against Al Hilal. During their most recent Saudi League clash, Al Hilal dismantled Al Nassr 3-0; a scoreline Jesus was referring to. But the likes of Turki Alalshikh still expect Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr to make a difference this time. Only time will tell what Ronaldo can do against their domestic rivals after recovering from an injury. 

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