Cristiano Ronaldo is on the verge of turning 40, but the legendary forward shows no signs of slowing down as he gears up to lead Al-Nassr against Al-Wasl in the AFC Champions League Elite stage.
Live Updates | Al-Nassr vs. Al-Wasl – AFC Champions League Action
Since joining the Saudi Pro League in December 2022, Ronaldo has been nothing short of sensational, currently topping the league’s scoring charts with 15 goals in 17 matches. As Al-Nassr heads into the final two group-stage games—having already secured qualification—the Portuguese icon remains a key figure in their pursuit of a historic first Asian title.
Al-Nassr’s head coach, Stefano Pioli, emphasized the importance of the upcoming clash, calling a victory the perfect birthday gift for Ronaldo. “This is a crucial match for us, and we are determined to claim all three points,” Pioli stated..
Ronaldo’s First Shot at Asian Glory
A five-time UEFA Champions League winner with Manchester United and Real Madrid, Ronaldo now has the opportunity to add an Asian trophy to his illustrious career. His chances have been boosted by Al-Nassr’s recent high-profile signing—Colombian forward Jhon Duran from Aston Villa, reportedly for $79 million.
Duran has already been registered and could make his debut against Al-Wasl. “He’s in great shape, and we will assess how best to utilize him,” Pioli confirmed.
However, Al-Nassr will be without key defender Aymeric Laporte, who is absent due to personal reasons. The squad is also dealing with injury concerns, with defender Ali Lajami and Portuguese midfielder Otavio facing fitness tests ahead of the fixture.
The Battle for Asian Supremacy
Currently third in the 12-team group, Al-Nassr trails domestic rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, both of whom remain unbeaten after six matches.
Al-Hilal, the most successful Asian club with four AFC Champions League titles, faces Persepolis without Neymar, who has returned to Brazil following an injury-plagued stint in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli—bolstered by stars like Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney—is in contention to claim its first continental crown as it prepares to take on Qatar’s Al-Sadd.
With the tournament split into eastern and western zones until the quarterfinals, all 12 teams in the western division are still in the race to finish in the top eight and advance to the knockout stage. The eastern zone is set to resume next week.
As Ronaldo approaches his milestone birthday, he remains as determined as ever to conquer new heights. Can he inspire Al-Nassr to AFC Champions League glory? The journey continues.
