The pressure is unmatched when a team plays a knockout match without their MVP. Cristiano Ronaldo kick-started Al Nassr’s 3-0 rout against Al Ettifaq in coach Stefano Pioli’s debut. He scored a decisive penalty that night. Yet, Pioli decided not to field the 39-year-old megastar for tonight’s King Cup of Champions round of 32 contest between Al Nassr and Al Hazm. So, why did the Al Nassr boss leave out the Portuguese skipper from the starting lineup?

Even in games in which he is not a starter, Ronaldo often comes off the bench for a sensational cameo. But tonight, we won’t see that as well. What’s going on? We have you covered.

Why is Cristiano Ronaldo unavailable for tonight’s Al Nassr game?

Cristiano Ronaldo rarely shows any sign of slowing down with age. The 39-year-old has been firing on all cylinders for the Knights of Najd this season. However, sometimes injuries have troubled him and showed us that he is also prone to wear and tear. Al Nassr’s new Italian manager is anyhow cautious about helping Ronaldo avoid any possible physical injury, it seems. As per various reports, Pioli snubbed CR7 tonight to give ample rest for better recovery for the upcoming games.

So why does Ronaldo have to recover? Is he suffering from a leg injury? Not even close. He is free of any injuries, but it must be noted that he missed Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League clash against Al Shorta because of a viral illness. So, Stefano Pioli has indeed made the right move to rest Ronaldo and help him completely get rid of his viral malady.

Besides, the path won’t be rosy for the skipper and Al Nassr after the King Cup of Champions game. Far more decisive clashes are on the way for the team in yellow.

What next for Ronaldo and Al Nassr?

By evaluating the outcome of their meetings, it’s quite clear that Al Nassr has historically been dominating Al Hazm. Besides, the yellow team could try its luck without Cristiano Ronaldo since this is just the beginning of the King Cup of Champions. Anyhow, it is paramount that the Portuguese skipper is back to Al Nassr’s fleet immediately. Currently placed as the fifth seed in the Saudi League table, Al Nassr could not afford to lose SPL ties against Al Wehda next weekend.

Elsewhere, Al Nassr had already trembled in the AFC Champions League, drawing in its first game. If the Knights do winless in coming group games, Ronaldo will have to once again see his AFC Champions League hopes get tarnished. Al Nassr plays Al Rayyan in a decisive AFC group game on September 30.

So, back-to-back big games demand an urgent return of CR7 to the Riyadhi side.