Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not playing in Al-Nassr match against Damac today?

Al-Nassr will face Damac today without their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo, leading the charge in the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League match. 

The Portuguese star will view the match from the bench, a strategic decision made by coach Luis Castro.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Castro planned to rest Ronaldo and other key players for this match. 

Coach Luis Castro had already hinted earlier this week that he would rest key players like Ronaldo, given the tight schedule. He intends to keep the team fresh for upcoming challenges as the team played a game on Tuesday and another one is coming on Monday.

In just three days, Al-Nassr will be competing against Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup semifinals. This tournament is one of the few remaining chances for Al-Nassr to secure a trophy this season, especially as Al-Hilal currently leads the Saudi Pro League standings by 12 points with only eight games left.

Ronaldo's absence from the starting lineup today might be surprising to some, especially considering his stellar performance on Tuesday. It appears to be a strategic move by Al-Nassr, as they have their eyes set on the Saudi Super Cup semifinals against Al-Hilal in just three days. 

In his last outing, Ronaldo hit a remarkable hat-trick in just 45 minutes of play, including two stunning free-kick goals and two assists. His performance was so commanding that Castro decided to rest him in the second half. The coach seems to ensure Ronaldo's peak performance when it matters most.

Ronaldo is aged 39 but he continues to defy expectations in the Saudi Pro League. He is currently the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League, with an astonishing 29 goals after 26 rounds. He is also the league leader in assists, demonstrating his impact beyond just scoring goals.