Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus has shed light on why Cristiano Ronaldo consistently plays full matches at 40 years old. The Portuguese forward was instrumental in his team’s seventh consecutive league win, which has given them a three-point lead in the standings.
Following Al-Nassr’s 2-1 victory over Al-Feiha, Jesus explained that Ronaldo’s reserve option, Camara, is not at the same level as the veteran player. Jesus stated that while he considers resting Ronaldo in Asian competitions, the player’s presence is crucial in certain matches. “He is a great player and knows his body well, when to rest and when to ask for a substitution,” Jesus said.
Ronaldo completed his third 90-minute match in seven days, scoring the winning goal in the 15th minute of second-half stoppage time. He has played 629 out of 630 available minutes in the league this season, with no appearances in the AFC Champions League to date. Jesus aims to protect Ronaldo from travel outside of Saudi Arabia, prioritizing his availability for domestic matches.
The win over Al-Feiha marked Al-Nassr’s response to their recent King’s Cup exit at the hands of Al-Ittihad. Despite being stunned by Jason’s early goal, Al-Nassr equalized through Ronaldo in the 37th minute, courtesy of Kingsley Coman’s assist. The match-winning penalty was scored by Ronaldo in stoppage time, following a foul on Abdulelah Al-Amri.
Ronaldo’s performance has been instrumental in Al-Nassr’s success, with eight goals in seven league matches. As the team maintains its lead in the standings, Jesus will likely continue to rely on his star player, balancing the need for rest with the importance of Ronaldo’s presence on the field. With the season progressing, Al-Nassr’s strategy will be crucial in maintaining their position and achieving their goals.
