On December 1 the two fierce Saudi-Pro League rivals Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal faced off against each other. Al Hilal is 1st on the table whereas A-Nassr is placed 2nd. Cristiano Ronaldo was deemed fit to play this fierce match against their arch-rivals.
Also, during the match, Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted wearing a black tape around his neck. This was due to a neck injury that he suffered in the AFC Champions League a few days back. Al-Nassr fans were jumping with excitement when they came to know that their star player would be starting the game.
🚨There is a bandage on the neck of Ronaldo.
— CristianoXtra (@CristianoXtra_) December 1, 2023
However, the result did not go their way as they were poorly beaten 3-0 and are now trailing 7 points to the league leaders, Al-Hilal FC. Cristiano Ronaldo’s equalizing goal in the 71st minute of the game was ruled offside which could have changed the outlook of the match. Many fans believe that it was a harsh decision.
#Cristiano_Ronaldo
Al-Nasr’s competitor is a team supported by arbitration for 40 years. For any of them, if he makes a mistake against Al-Nasr or someone else, the most important thing for him is that his team does not lose in any way. They are corrupt. pic.twitter.com/qU8EhUyWjt— عارف🇦🇷🇸🇦 (@Messi511a) December 1, 2023
It remains to be seen what happens next in the season with Al-Nassr FC as they will have to do a lot to catch the league leaders. Al-Hilal FC have been playing extremely well in the Saudi League even without their star signing Neymar Jr, out with a long-term injury this season.
Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a neck injury during the AFC Champions League
In an AFC Champions League match, Al Nassr hosted Persepolis of Iran to maintain their perfect record in their group. After missing their previous match, the Portuguese skipper of the Saudi giants was included in the starting lineup.
In the last fifteen minutes of the match, Cristiano Ronaldo gave his team a serious scare when he collided with the opponent’s goalkeeper. The 38-year-old was forced off the field after Alireza Beiranvand, the goalie for Persepolis, landed clumsily on his neck, hurting him.
Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the Al-Nasr match against Persepolis due to injury ❌🚑
⚡The match ended 0:0
📌Al nassr had a red card 🟥 pic.twitter.com/D9mClr5eXb
— dailysportsug.com (@dailysportsug) November 27, 2023
Ronaldo received prompt physical therapy following the team’s last game against Persepolis of Iran due to a moderate neck contusion he sustained. The forward was substituted out right away by Al Nassr manager Luis Castro for Mohammed Matan, a 22-year-old striker, in the 78th minute. After sending their captain to the hospital right away for scans, the team learned that the injury was not as bad as they had initially thought.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the most important player for the Saudi side this season, anything happening to him would leave their season in turmoil. His absence leaves a big hole in the forward position for them and hence they have to treat Ronaldo with a lot of care.