Sport
Ronaldo Will Miss Al Nassr Game as Coach Gives Him Rest for Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of Al Nassr’s squad as they take on Damac in their upcoming Saudi Pro League match. The 40-year-old captain has been left out of the 20-man list, with the club choosing to rest him ahead of their important AFC Champions League fixture.
Ronaldo’s absence is a strategic move by head coach Stefano Pioli, who is focusing on keeping his key players fresh for Saturday’s quarter-final clash against Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos. The decision marks only the second time this season that Ronaldo has missed a league game, the first being back in October 2024 when Al Nassr played out a 3–3 draw with Al Kholood.
Sadio Mané will also miss the Damac game due to suspension. In their absence, Colombian forward Jhon Durán will step up to lead the attack.
With big games ahead in the Champions League, Pioli is clearly putting long-term goals first, prioritizing fitness and form over short-term league fixtures.
Former footballer Thierry Henry has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s match following their loss to Atlético Madrid on October 13.
Speaking during a brief interview on CBS Sports, Henry criticised the practice of players or coaches expressing certain opinions through the media instead of addressing issues directly within the dressing room.
“I’m not a coach anymore, but I always say, whoever speaks like that, out. Keep that in the dressing room, it’s as simple as that,” Henry said on CBS Sports.
“That is the only way it can work. You have to say those things to a person’s face… going through the press, I am not really a fan of that.”
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has shared his thoughts on the 2026 Ballon d’Or award, revealing that he hopes the winner will come from his team.
The manager spoke about how hard his players have worked and expressed his belief that they deserve the recognition.
“What I hope is that we win this trophy. We have players who deserve it.”
“Last year, we were the best team. We showed that it wasn’t just Ousmane Dembélé who deserved it.”
French football pundit Walid Acherchour has named Lamine Yamal as his pick to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, sparking reactions among football fans.
Acherchour’s choice came as a surprise to some fans, who expected him to support fellow Frenchman Kylian Mbappé instead.
Speaking about his prediction, Acherchour expressed confidence in Yamal’s chances of winning the prestigious individual award.
“For me, Lamine Yamal, he is going to get it [2026 Ballon d’Or]. For me, there’s no doubt anymore,” Acherchour said, as quoted by Actu Foot. That start to the season shows that in fact, he was injured during the World Cup. He was the best player in La Liga, and he won the World Cup.
“Even if, for me, in fact, he doesn’t have the Ballon d’Or unanimously because his World Cup was average, even being average, he won it with Spain. He won La Liga with Barça.”
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