Riyadh, Saudi Arabia –Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al Nassr kicked off their campaign in the newly rebranded AFC Champions League Elite with a goalless draw against Al-Shorta on Tuesday.
The Saudi Arabian giants, who have high hopes of making a significant impact in Asia’s premier club competition, were held to a stalemate in a match that lacked clear-cut chances. While Al Nassr dominated possession, they struggled to break down the resilient Al-Shorta defense.
Ronaldo’s absence was a notable talking point before the match. The Portuguese superstar, who joined Al Nassr earlier this year, was not included in the squad for the trip to Iraq. The club has not provided an official reason for his absence, but speculation suggests that it could be due to injury or personal reasons.
Despite the draw, Al Nassr will be looking to bounce back in their next match against Al-Duhail. A win in that game would be crucial for their chances of topping Group D and advancing to the knockout stages of the competition.
