Recently, Al Nassr suffered a heartbreaking loss against AL Hilal, leaving the team and its fans in a state of disappointment. However, the focus now shifts towards their upcoming AFC Champions League game against FC Istiklol. In a surprising turn of events, manager Luis Castro has decided to drop Cristiano Ronaldo from the match, sparking a flurry of speculation and inquiries that the Portuguese manager addressed furiously.

In the world of soccer, each move, each substitution, and each team selection are subject to intense analysis and debate. And when a high-profile player such as Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently is the top scorer for the Saudi side, is involved, the attention only intensifies.

Luis Castro slams journalist for questioning his decision

Prior to the highly-anticipated match, Castro sat down for an interview. A journalist bravely asked Castro about his decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo. The response he received was far from what he expected. Castro, clearly irked by the question, curtly replied, “Today I am a coach for Al Nassr Club and I am not a fan.”

He went on to say, “I respect you well (the reporter), but you cannot ask this question about Cristiano Ronaldo.” It is evident that Castro did not appreciate the doubt cast on his decision-making. While the exact reasons for Ronaldo’s absence from the game remain undisclosed, there are several plausible explanations.

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Firstly, Al Nassr has already secured a spot in the Round of 16, and it is possible that Castro is opting to give his star striker a much-needed rest. Additionally, Cristiano Ronaldo has also been nursing a neck injury sustained in the previous Champions League game against Persepolis.

Cristiano Ronaldo still suffering from a neck injury

During Al Nassr’s match against Persepolis, Cristiano Ronaldo caused alarm among fans after an injury scare. After colliding with the Persepolis goalkeeper, the 38-year-old fell to the ground in pain, clutching his neck. He required physical therapy following the game but still participated in Al Nassr’s next match against Al Hilal.

Dive Deeper: Cristiano Ronaldo Tells Al Nassr Teammates to Win Every Trophy After Loss to Al Hilal – “Last Loss is Only 3 Points”

However, it was apparent that he had not fully healed as he played with black tape on his neck. Being dropped from the upcoming match against Istiklol may provide the Portuguese icon with the necessary time to recover completely.

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What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.