Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr’s trip to Uzbekistan for their AFC Champions League Elite match against Pakhtakor on Monday, November 2, 2026.
The decision has surprised many fans, especially after the Portuguese superstar scored a hat-trick in his latest Saudi Pro League appearance.
However, Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou has decided to rest Ronaldo. He wants to protect the forward’s fitness during a busy period of the season.
Ronaldo is not the only key player missing from the squad. Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan will also stay out of the trip.
Meanwhile, security concerns across the Middle East have created further problems for football schedules. The situation has also raised questions about Saudi Arabia’s plans to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Ange Postecoglou Explains Ronaldo’s Absence
Ronaldo has enjoyed an impressive run in front of goal. His latest hat-trick came against Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League.
Those three goals took his career total to 985 official goals for club and country. He now needs just 15 more to reach the famous 1,000-goal milestone.
Despite his strong form, Postecoglou believes rest is important.
The Australian manager wants to manage his players carefully. He has considered the demanding schedule and the long journey to Uzbekistan before selecting his squad.
“We are rotating the team because of the pressure of the matches and the amount of travel involved,” Postecoglou said during his press conference in Uzbekistan.
The decision also affects Coman and Simakan. Both players will miss the trip alongside Ronaldo.
Postecoglou remains positive about Al Nassr’s progress. He admitted that the team faced several problems at the start of the season.
However, he believes the squad has now reached a much better level of preparation.
Security Concerns Disrupt Al Nassr’s Schedule
Al Nassr have also faced problems with their schedule due to security concerns in the Middle East.
Last week, the club received extra time between matches after their game against Al-Wasl was postponed. Al-Wasl refused to travel to Riyadh, which led to the delay.
Another Al Nassr home fixture, scheduled for October 12, also faced a postponement. Reports of missile attacks by Houthi rebels led to further concerns.
These events have created challenges for football organisers across the region.
Clubs must consider travel arrangements and player safety when planning their fixtures. The situation has also affected discussions about major international tournaments in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia’s 2027 Asian Cup Faces Questions
Security concerns have now reached the discussion surrounding the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the tournament from January 7. However, recent developments have raised questions about whether the competition can go ahead as planned.
Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has shared his concerns about the situation.
Based on the reports he has received, he believes the security conditions still require serious attention.
“Based on the information I have received from news reports, the situation is still unsafe. So, at this moment, I don’t think it would be easy to hold the Asian Cup there,” Miyamoto said.
His comments reflect concerns among some football officials about the host country’s current situation.
However, organisers in Saudi Arabia continue to say that preparations remain on schedule.
AFC Monitors the Situation as Postponement Remains Possible
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) continues to monitor developments across the Middle East.
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has said that the final decision on the tournament will come by the end of November.
He also acknowledged that the security situation could change quickly.
A postponement until 2028 remains one possible option if conditions do not allow the tournament to proceed safely.
For now, the competition remains on its planned schedule. The AFC will consider the latest developments before making its final decision.
Several key factors remain important:
- Security conditions across the Middle East.
- Saudi Arabia’s readiness to host the tournament.
- The AFC’s latest assessment.
- Travel and safety arrangements for participating teams.
Ronaldo Targets 1,000 Career Goals
While questions remain about the Asian football calendar, Ronaldo continues to chase a major personal milestone.
The Al Nassr forward wants to reach 1,000 official career goals.
His hat-trick against Al-Kholood took his total to 985 goals for club and country. He now needs only 15 more goals to reach the historic mark.
Ronaldo can continue his pursuit through his appearances for Al Nassr.
His absence against Pakhtakor does not change his long-term target. Instead, Postecoglou’s decision gives him time to rest during a demanding period.
Al Nassr Must Continue Without Their Superstar
Al Nassr will now travel to Uzbekistan without three important players. Ronaldo, Coman and Simakan will all miss the match against Pakhtakor.
Postecoglou has chosen rotation to manage the squad’s workload. He believes the team is in a better position after its difficult start to the season.
At the same time, security concerns remain a major issue for football across the region.
The AFC’s upcoming decision could have a major impact on the 2027 Asian Cup schedule. Until then, Al Nassr must focus on their next match while Ronaldo continues his pursuit of 1,000 career goals.
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