Home / Sports / Ronaldo's Absence Clouds Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League Clash with FC Goa
Ronaldo's Absence Clouds Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League Clash with FC Goa
20 Oct
Summary
- Ronaldo has a clause in his Al-Nassr contract allowing him to skip matches outside Saudi Arabia
- Al-Nassr have won both their group-stage AFC Champions League fixtures without Ronaldo
- Goa CM says Ronaldo's visit would inspire young players and boost sports tourism
On October 20, 2025, it was reported that Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr will be traveling to India for their AFC Champions League 2 match against FC Goa on October 22, but their star player Cristiano Ronaldo may not be part of the squad. According to local media, Ronaldo's contract with Al-Nassr includes a clause that gives him the right to choose which matches he plays outside of Saudi Arabia.
FC Goa and Al-Nassr were drawn into the same group in the AFC Champions League 2, the second-tier continental competition in Asian football. This meant the two sides were scheduled to face each other twice, once in Margao and once in Riyadh. However, Saudi Arabia's sports newspaper Al Riyadhiah has reported that Ronaldo will not be part of the traveling squad for the fixture in Goa on October 22, despite multiple requests from the Indian club.
While there has been uncertainty around Ronaldo's participation, it has done little to dampen the excitement in Goa. The state's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said Ronaldo's visit would be a moment of great pride and inspire thousands of young players, as well as put Goa firmly on the global sports tourism map. Interestingly, Al-Nassr have won both their group-stage fixtures of the Asian AFC Champions League 2 in Ronaldo's absence and are poised to advance to the next round.
