Cristiano Ronaldo, a mainstay of Portugal, will not play in Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League Two match on Wednesday against FC Goa of the Indian Super League (ISL). On the eve of the match, the Al-Nassr skipper trained with the team, boosting expectations that he would play at Riyadh's Al-Awwal Park. To control his workload, the five-time European Champions League winner will be rested, according to Jorge Jesus, manager of the Saudi Pro League (SPL) team.
"Cristiano won't play in the game on Wednesday. At a news conference on Wednesday, Jesus stated, "We need to protect him, and the game will be an opportunity for the players to showcase their abilities and help the team."

Al-Riyadiyah reported that the 40-year-old was included in the team for the match on Wednesday.
Haroune Camara, a Saudi international, is expected to lead the line against Goa in his absence. In the rematch, which Al-Nassr won 2-1 at Fatorda last month, the 27-year-old scored against Goa.
Al Nassr enters the game following a mixed domestic week that saw them lose to Al Ittihad in the King's Cup before defeating Al Fayha, where Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to earn all three points. With elite players all across the pitch, the Riyadh-based team is still a difficult opponent, as was to be expected.

"It's an honour for us to play these kinds of games not just for the players, but for all FC Goa fans and for Indian football," head coach Manolo Marquez stated prior to the match. According to the ISL official website, "We're here to compete in the best way possible against a big team like Al Nassr."

FC Goa will strive to blend ambition and discipline under the lights in Riyadh as they continue to proudly represent Indian football on one of Asia's largest stages.