Cristiano Ronaldo Dropped: Al-Nassr’s Shock Move Against Al-Okhdood Sparks Fan Outrage
When Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Al-Nassr’s squad for their crucial Saudi Pro League match against Al-Okhdood on May 12, 2025, the football world took notice. Fans were left reeling, flooding social media with frustration and concern over what this means for their beloved team. With Al-Nassr battling for AFC Champions League qualification, Ronaldo’s sudden absence felt like a gut punch to supporters. Why now, and what does this mean for the team’s future? Let’s dive into the drama surrounding this trending story.
Background: Ronaldo’s Journey with Al-Nassr
Since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, Cristiano Ronaldo has been more than a player—he’s been the heartbeat of the team. His arrival brought global attention to the Saudi Pro League, transforming Al-Nassr into a powerhouse with aspirations of dominating both domestically and continentally. Currently sitting in 5th place in the league standings, as reported by Soccerway, the team is under immense pressure to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League. Ronaldo’s presence has been synonymous with hope, making his exclusion from critical matches all the more jarring.
The Shocking Moment: Ronaldo Dropped for Al-Okhdood Clash
On May 12, 2025, the football community was stunned to learn that Cristiano Ronaldo was not included in Al-Nassr’s lineup for their match against Al-Okhdood, as detailed in the match summary on ESPN. Reports cited fitness issues as the reason behind this decision, but the timing couldn’t have been worse. With other key players like Laporte also missing, fans feared the worst for their team’s performance. Yet, against all odds, Al-Nassr delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Al-Okhdood, with goals from Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, Jhon Durán, and Ayman Yahya, according to the box score on FOX Sports.
While the win provided some relief, it did little to quell the unease surrounding Ronaldo’s absence. Fans couldn’t help but wonder if this signaled deeper issues within the squad.
A History of Dominance: Al-Nassr vs. Al-Okhdood
This wasn’t the first time Al-Nassr faced Al-Okhdood this season. Back on January 9, 2025, Al-Nassr secured a solid 3-1 win in their earlier encounter. The recent 4-0 triumph further highlighted their dominance over the smaller club. However, for many fans, these victories felt hollow without their star player on the pitch. Could Al-Nassr maintain this momentum without Ronaldo in critical upcoming matches?
Fan Reactions: Frustration and Fear
The emotional fallout from Ronaldo’s exclusion was immediate and intense. Supporters took to social media to voice their disappointment, with sentiments captured in articles like this one from Sportskeeda. One Al-Nassr fan lamented,
“No one watching! Why watch?!”
Their words reflected a broader sense of disillusionment among the fanbase. Another fan expressed deeper concerns about the team’s future, stating,
“No Ronaldo, no Simikan, no Laporte?? Bro we're not qualifying for the AFC Champions League next season 😭”
These reactions underscore the emotional investment fans have in Ronaldo, not just as a player, but as a symbol of Al-Nassr’s ambitions.
Conclusion
✔️ Ronaldo’s absence in the Al-Okhdood match stunned fans, even as Al-Nassr clinched a decisive 4-0 win.
✔️ The incident has sparked questions about the team’s strategy and raised fears about their AFC Champions League dreams, leaving supporters hungry for answers.
