Al Nassr faced a tough challenge without Cristiano Ronaldo on Monday, as the Saudi team began their revamped Asian Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iraq’s Al Shorta. Ronaldo, the team's captain, was absent from the lineup due to a viral infection, with the club announcing the diagnosis the day before the match in Baghdad.
The statement read: “Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo wasn’t feeling well today and was diagnosed with a viral infection.
The team’s doctor confirmed he needs to rest and stay at his place.
“As a result, he will not be travelling with the team to Iraq today. We wish a speedy recovery to our captain.”
Al Nassr, who were knocked out of last season’s Asian Champions League in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, were given a dream start in the Iraqi capital, when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam met Otavio’s astute, first-time pass on 14 minutes to finish low past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
Ronaldo is yet to win a major trophy with Al-Nassr since joining the Saudi club.
