Al‑Nassr coach Jorge Jesus explained why 40‑year‑old Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play full matches. The Portuguese forward was pivotal in his team’s seventh consecutive league win, which gave Al‑Nassr a three‑point lead in the standings after a 2‑1 victory over Al‑Feiha. Jesus noted that Ronaldo’s reserve option, Camara, does not match the veteran’s level, and while he may consider resting Ronaldo in Asian competitions, the player’s presence remains essential in certain fixtures. “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 logged 629 of a possible 630 minutes in the league this season, though he has yet to appear in the AFC Champions League. To protect him, Jesus aims to limit Ronaldo’s travel outside Saudi Arabia, ensuring his availability for domestic matches.
The win over Al‑Feiha came as Al‑Nassr responded to a recent King’s Cup exit at the hands of Al‑Ittihad. After Jason’s early goal stunned the visitors, Al‑Nassr equalised through Ronaldo in the 37th minute, assisted by Kingsley Coman. Ronaldo then secured the victory with a penalty in stoppage time after a foul on Abdulelah Al‑Amri.
Ronaldo’s contributions have been instrumental to Al‑Nassr’s success, tallying eight goals in seven league matches. As the team maintains its lead in the standings, Jesus is likely to continue relying on his star player, balancing the need for rest with the importance of Ronaldo’s presence on the field. The club’s strategic management of Ronaldo will be crucial as the season progresses and Al‑Nassr strives to maintain its position and achieve its goals.
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