Cristiano Ronaldo

Will Ronaldo be fit enough to start?

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With a place in the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals on the line, anticipation has grown around whether the Portuguese superstar will feature against Al-Wasl. There is always a sense of anticipation whenever Cristiano Ronaldo is involved, and this time is no different as attention turns toward a crucial continental fixture. With a place in the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals on the line, anticipation has grown around whether the Portuguese superstar will feature against Al-Wasl. The Saudi club enters the match in excellent domestic form, while the UAE club hopes home advantage can help produce an upset. Ronaldo’s availability has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of a tie that could shape Al-Nassr’s season. Sunday’s quarter-final meeting between Al-Wasl and Al-Nassr will take place at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai, with the original two-legged format changed to a one-match tie. That adjustment followed a scheduling disruption linked to regional conflict, leaving both sides with no second chance. For Al-Nassr, the match arrives during a strong run of results. The Saudi club sits eight points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League with five matches remaining, placing it in a commanding position domestically while also chasing continental silverware. Al-Wasl, meanwhile, has experienced a more uneven campaign. The Emirates club has fallen well off the pace in the UAE title race, but knockout soccer offers a fresh opportunity to revive momentum. Ronaldo’s fitness update finally emerges Saudi journalist Abdulaziz Al-Osaimi indicates that Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be available for the AFC Champions League Two clash against Al-Wasl on Sunday. That will be welcome news for Al-Nassr after recent concerns. Ronaldo reportedly dealt with illness and abdominal discomfort in recent days, even vomiting after the narrow league win over Al-Ettifaq, which raised doubts over his readiness. Now, signs point toward a return. The medical staff has reportedly worked to restore him to full condition, and the coaching staff sees his experience as a major asset in a knockout fixture. 89’ Cristiano Ronaldo gets subbed off and heads straight to the locker room. Hope he’s not injured again.. 😩 pic.twitter.com/2XnVfVkXtZ — Cristiano Ronaldo News (@CRonaldoNews) April 15, 2026 Why this game matters for Ronaldo Although Ronaldo has remained productive this season, his appearances in this competition have been selective. He has featured sparingly in the AFC Champions League Two as Al-Nassr often prioritized domestic matches and carefully managed his workload. That strategy may now be changing. With the latter stages here, every match carries greater significance, and competitive minutes could help sharpen Ronaldo for the final stretch of the league title race as well. At 41, game management is always part of the equation. Yet elite players often define knockout nights, and Al-Nassr knows Ronaldo can still decide major contests.

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CRISTIANO RONALDO was forced to rush off and “throw up” after suffering stomach pains during Al Nassr’s win on Wednesday night. The Portuguese superstar, 41, battled through illness in the 1-0 victory over Al Ettifaq before being subbed in injury time. But boss Jorge Jesus revealed Ronaldo was struggling badly throughout the game. He said:...

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After Al Nassr's last game, head coach Jorge Jesus explained that Cristiano Ronaldo's early exit to the locker room was due to star suffering from "stomach pains." Cristiano Ronaldo has been the cornerstone of Al Nassr’s recent surge, but his blistering goalscoring streak came to a halt Wednesday against Al Ettifaq. Following a uncharacteristically quiet performance from the club’s captain, head coach Jorge Jesus revealed that Ronaldo’s abrupt exit to the locker room was the result of “stomach pains” the forward had been battling since before kickoff. After returning from a hamstring injury in March, Ronaldo had been flawless, netting a brace against Al Najma and a clinical strike against Al Okhdood to keep Al Nassr’s title hopes alive. However, his impact against Al Ettifaq was far more subdued; despite registering seven shots, only two found the target, and he uncharacteristically squandered a golden opportunity in the 47th minute. Ronaldo was eventually subbed off in the 89th minute for Abdullah Al-Hamdan, but rather than joining his teammates on the bench, the Portuguese icon headed straight down the tunnel. While his departure initially sparked speculation regarding his frustration with the substitution, Jorge Jesus was quick to clear the air during his post-match press conference. When asked about his star player, the Portuguese manager admitted that Ronaldo was nearly omitted from the lineup entirely. “I considered leaving him out; he simply wasn’t in good shape,” Jesus said. “He was suffering from stomach pains and general fatigue. When I finally substituted him, he went straight to the dressing room and threw up.“ تبديلان إضافيان للنصر، وخروج كريستيانو رونالدو 🔄#النصر_الاتفاق | #دوري_روشن_السعودي pic.twitter.com/YfP5bPeLTg — رياضة ثمانية (@thmanyahsports) April 15, 2026 Jesus assured reporters that Ronaldo was recovering well after the match, explaining that his absence from the post-game celebrations following the 1-0 victory was simply because he was still indisposed. Although his scoring run has ended, the veteran striker is expected to be back in the selection for the club’s next fixture. One step closer to the SPL title Wednesday’s hard-fought victory moves Al Nassr within touching distance of the Saudi Pro League title. The club currently sits atop the table with 76 points through 29 matches, fueled by a staggering 15-game winning streak in league play. Al Hilal remains in second place with 68 points and a game in hand, but they now face a daunting eight-point mountain to climb. Riding the momentum of 17 consecutive wins across all competitions, Jorge Jesus reflected on the culture shift he has implemented in his debut season. “Al Nassr are not used to competing for titles, but now the players feel they are close to winning the league. I have won 24 titles, so I consider myself among the best coaches in the world. We have a great feeling and sense that we’re close to the title, but our focus now is to take it one match at a time,” he stated.

Cristiano Ronaldo may soon receive another boost at Al-Nassr, with fresh reports suggesting the club is close to securing the future of Marcelo Brozovic. Cristiano Ronaldo may soon receive another boost at Al-Nassr, with fresh reports suggesting the club is close to securing the future of Marcelo Brozovic. The experienced midfielder has become one of the most important figures in the squad, and talks over a new agreement appear to be moving in the right direction. Keeping a player of Brozovic’s quality would be an important step for Al-Nassr as the Riyadh outfit continues building around elite talent. According to reports from Al Youm newspaper, Al-Nassr has reached an agreement with Marcelo Brozovic over a contract renewal. The understanding would keep the Croatian international at the Saudi club for the foreseeable future. The report suggests club officials worked hard behind the scenes to prevent any uncertainty surrounding the midfielder’s future. After weeks of discussions, both sides are now said to be aligned on the main terms of the extension. This development would be welcomed across the club, especially by a dressing room that values stability and leadership. Brozovic’s presence in midfield has helped give balance to a side filled with attacking stars. Marcelo Brozovic of Al Nassr What still needs to happen before it becomes official While the agreement is reportedly in place, one final step remains before everything can be announced publicly. Al-Nassr is now waiting for the player’s representative to arrive to complete the remaining formalities and finalize the official announcement. That means the deal is close, but not yet signed off in full. Once those final administrative details are completed, the club is expected to make the extension official. In modern soccer, these last stages can often move quickly once the major terms are settled. For Al-Nassr fans, that creates optimism that confirmation may arrive soon. Why Brozovic matters so much to Al-Nassr Brozovic is widely viewed as a key pillar of the Al-Nassr lineup. His composure on the ball, tactical awareness, and ability to control tempo have made him one of the side’s most reliable performers. Unlike more attacking stars who often dominate headlines, the 33-year-old’s influence is seen in the structure of the team. He helps connect defense to attack and gives freedom to creative players further forward. For a club aiming to challenge domestically and internationally, keeping a midfielder with that profile is a major priority. His consistency has made him difficult to replace. The Croatian midfielder has featured regularly throughout the campaign. Brozovic played 34 matches in all competitions this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists.