Sadio Mane Benched as Al Nassr Boss Offers Spotlight to Otavio at AFC Champions League Clash vs. Al Fayha: Reports

Al Nassr is gearing up to restart the remainder of its campaign and hopefully end it with silverware. Tonight marks their eagerly awaited clash against Al Fayha in the AFC Champions League RO16. While Luis Castro will be looking to put up his best XI for the first leg, an unexpected development has emerged just hours before kick-off. Reports suggest that the Portuguese tactician will be starting Otavio ahead of Sadio Mane. 

Given the limit on fielding foreign players in the Asian Champions League, it left the Al Nassr boss at a crossroads. The 62-year-old was yet to finalize his set of foreign players. However, it seems Castro has finally decided and is ready to give Otavio the green light instead of Mane, with the Senegalese star starting the game from the bench. 

Sadio Mane was absent during the Riyadh Season Cup due to his commitment to the 2023 AFCON with Senegal. Following his team’s early exit in the RO16 against Ivory Coast, just days before the Inter Miami clash, the winger also took a short leave for a vacation. He returned in time to play the Riyadh Season Cup’s final game against Al Hilal, coming on as a substitute. It looks like he’ll be doing the same tonight. Meanwhile, which other foreign stars will make it to the starting lineup? 

While the likes of Alex Telles, Aymeric Laporte, Marcelo Brozovic, and Anderson Talisca might make the starting XI, what about the man of the hour, Cristiano Ronaldo? 

Will Cristiano Ronaldo play for Al Nassr in the AFC Champions League RO16 against Al Fayha? 

Earlier, questions were raised over Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability for tonight’s match after a video surfaced showing him working out alone. In addition, after playing the entire match against Al Hilal, there were rumors of a possible injury scare. Abdulaziz Al-Osaimi, a Saudi journalist, gave assurance that CR7 was ready to take on Al Fayha. 

READ MORE: “You Look 37!” – Cristiano Ronaldo Trolls Al Nassr Teammate With Sly Remark Days After Riyadh Cup Embarrassment

The veteran seems fit to go into the RO16 after completing the necessary training sessions with the squad. However, concerns persist regarding 3 teammates of CR7 who are facing the possibility of significant suspensions and fines due to a controversy involving their national team.

Nevertheless, Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to put on a show and take his team all the way.

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