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Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League
Daniel Marland
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League
Cristiano Ronaldo will play no part in Al Nassr's Asian Champions League clash with Qatari outfit Al Duhail on Tuesday evening.
Al Nassr boss Luis Castro has confirmed Ronaldo will not feature against the opponents he scored a brace against in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.
The Saudi Arabian giants have all but sealed qualification from Group E after winning their opening three games, with Castro keen to rest Ronaldo to manage 'fatigue'.
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You'd be forgiven for thinking Ronaldo is superhuman, forged by the Gods to be a footballing machine that never stops. According to Castro, he is human, after all.
The Portugal icon played 120 minutes in last Tuesday's 1-0 win over Al Ettifaq in the King Cup of Champions.
Four days later, the 38-year-old scored his side's opening goal in a 2-0 victory against Al Khaleej, his landmark 400th goal since turning 30.
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"Cristiano Ronaldo will not participate in the Al-Duhail match because he is tired due to his many participations," Castro admitted.
"I know that there are those who want to see him, but he needs to rest.
"He is not ready, but we have many stars. I did not decide to exclude the legend Cristiano Ronaldo, but his capabilities decided that.
"Because 48 hours ago he played a match, and before that he played 120 minutes."
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Even Ronaldo himself will admit his career is winding down.
His switch to the Middle East after leaving Manchester United in controversial circumstances caught everyone by surprise, given his apparent interest in wanting to stay in Europe to play in the Champions League.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner believes the quality of football in Saudi Arabia is only going to improve in the next few years.
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He even took a dig at longtime rival Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami earlier this year.
Ronaldo claimed the quality of football in the Saudi Pro League is higher than that of the MLS.
He said: "The Saudi league is better than MLS. I opened the way to the Saudi league, and now all the players are coming here."
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