Saudi Arabia’s premier club Al-Nassr is set to arrive in India on Monday night for their AFC Champions League 2 away fixture against FC Goa, but star player Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to miss the trip. According to Saudi sports daily Al Riyadhiah, the 40-year-old will not be part of the traveling squad, despite repeated requests from FC Goa’s management. Al-Nassr will be playing their third game in the continental competition after a comfortable league win over Al-Fateh, with the match scheduled at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on October 22. FC Goa, having defeated former AFC Cup winners Al Seeb to qualify for ACL 2, were drawn in Group D alongside Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. The pairing has sparked excitement and speculation about the Portuguese superstar making the trip to India for a competitive match. Ronaldo’s contract with Al-Nassr reportedly allows him to select matches outside Saudi Arabia, giving him the flexibility to skip international travel. The forward, who is preparing for next year’s World Cup, is also managing his workload to ensure he remains in peak condition for the tournament. Al-Nassr will land at Dabolim International Airport ahead of the game. The club has won both of its group-stage matches in the AFC Champions League 2 without Ronaldo and is well-positioned to progress to the next round. Following their clash against FC Goa, Al-Nassr will face rivals Al Ittihad in the Round of 16 of the King’s Cup on October 28.
