Cristiano Ronaldo excluded from Al Nassr squad for Uzbekistan trip

Cristiano Ronaldo will not join Al Nassr for their upcoming AFC Champions League match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, according to reports from November 2, 2026. While manager Ange Postecoglou initially suggested the 41-year-old forward was being rested, subsequent reports indicate that safety concerns in the host city influenced the club's decision to leave the player behind.

The exclusion follows a period of high performance for the Portuguese star, who recently scored a hat-trick in the Saudi Pro League, bringing his total career goal count to 985. The club management confirmed that the decision was taken to ensure the player's recovery and protection.

Security issues in Tashkent have reportedly caused ongoing disruptions for match scheduling in the competition. Al Nassr maintains that the primary objective for the exclusion is to ensure the safety and physical well-being of the athlete as the team travels for the international fixture.