Cristiano Ronaldo will come back and Al-Nassr looks to win silverware in Asian Champions League Two. The Portuguese superstar, who is 41 years old, had not played the last two matches in the Saudi Pro League, which calls into doubt his further future in Riyadh.
Ronaldo has been reported to have raised his doubts regarding the funding as well as the club management following the observation of an opponent, Al-Hilal acquiring a rival player, Karim Benzema. The striker has however accepted to resume operations with promises made by the Public investment Fund such as paying the outstanding remunerations, and reinstating autonomy of leadership by the top executive.
On Wednesday, Al-Nassr plays Arkadag of Turkmenistan with a spot in the quarterfinals. The club will depend on the experience and goal-scoring potential of Ronaldo to go further in the competition.
The Saudi Pro League pointed out that there is no bigger player than the club or the league. The league noted that Ronaldo has a big but not a determining role in any club other than Al-Nassr and its operations are independent of other clubs.
Al-Nassr, without him, still won their match 2-0 against the champions Al-Ittihad, which demonstrates the power and spirit of the squad. In the meantime, Al-Ittihad is not completely out of the knockout stage as long as they beat Al-Gharafa of Qatar in their match.
Al-Hilal is still leading in the western region and has an unblemished record whereas Al-Ahli, the champions league winner last year has already earned a place in the knockout. Al-Nassr will require Ronaldo in his best shape to compete with the performance standards of its local competitors and win the continental title.
The arrival of Ronaldo may be the turning point of the season of Al-Nassr as it offers the fans the hope that the club will be able to finally win the first major trophy with the Portuguese star spearheading the attack.
