Saudi Arabian heavyweights Al Nassr arrived in India on Tuesday to face FC Goa in the AFC Champions League Two, but their most iconic figure, Cristiano Ronaldo, was absent from the travelling squad.
According to Saudi outlet Al Riyadhiyah, the Portuguese forward chose not to make the trip despite repeated appeals from the Indian club. Ronaldo’s contract reportedly includes a clause granting him the right to opt out of matches held outside Saudi Arabia, and he has exercised that option for this fixture.
FC Goa had earlier hailed the meeting as a “historic moment” for Indian football after being drawn alongside Al Nassr in the group stage. The anticipation surrounding Ronaldo’s possible visit was immense, with the match at Fatorda Stadium widely billed as the biggest club game ever to take place in India.
Even without Ronaldo, Al Nassr have arrived with an impressive line-up featuring Sadio Mané, João Félix, Íñigo Martínez and Kingsley Coman, ensuring the contest retains plenty of star appeal.
The Group D encounter is set for tomorrow in Goa, with Al Nassr currently topping the table after winning their opening two games, while FC Goa languish at the bottom following consecutive defeats.
Reports indicate that Ronaldo has remained in Riyadh to prepare for Al Nassr’s upcoming King’s Cup Round of 16 tie against Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad. Coach Jorge Jesus is said to be cautious about overburdening the 40-year-old forward, who has yet to feature in this season’s AFC Champions League Two.
