Ending weeks of speculation, Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr FC has confirmed that Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will not be playing in Goa in Wednesday’s AFC Champions League Two group match against Indian Super League club FC Goa.

The Saudi side arrived in Goa on Monday night ahead of the match that will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. At a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Al-Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus said Ronaldo did not travel with the rest of the squad because he has been rested to manage his game time.

Despite Ronaldo’s absence, the Saudi Pro League side could still field a star-studded lineup, boasting the likes of former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, former Atletico Madrid attacking midfielder Joao Felix and former Bayern Munich winger Kingsle

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