Cristiano Ronaldo could be benched for Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Two final amid Broz

Who: Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo. What: Local reports say manager Jorge Jesus is considering starting Ronaldo on the bench for the AFC Champions League Two final against Gamba Osaka. When: The report was published in the build-up to the continental final and ahead of Al-Nassr’s final Saudi Pro League fixture. Why it matters: Resting Ronaldo would be a notable selection twist for one of the biggest nights in Al-Nassr’s recent history and could reflect wider fitness and fixture-management concerns inside the squad.

Why it matters

According to the reporting cited by World Soccer Talk from Arriyadiyah, Al-Nassr face a packed, high-stakes period: the club can potentially claim continental silverware in front of home supporters at Al-Awwal Park while also remaining poised to secure the Saudi Pro League title in the final domestic round. Any decision to rotate a player of Ronaldo’s stature would underline the coaching staff’s concern about player fatigue, possible injuries and the risk of extra time before a crucial league decider.

Injury situation and squad measures

The report lists several players who missed training and instead received treatment: Marcelo Brozovic, Angelo, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Abdulelah Al Amri and Kingsley Coman. Brozovic is described as the least likely of that group to be fit for the final, while Coman — a key attacking threat who scored six goals in the tournament — is also a doubt. To cover absences, Jorge Jesus reportedly brought several under-21 players into first-team preparations: Abdulmalik Al-Jaber, Awad Aman, Saad Haqawi and Sami Al-Najai.

Why Ronaldo might be rested

Arriyadiyah, as relayed by World Soccer Talk, suggests the coaching staff is considering rotation to protect key players from fatigue and injury, especially with only five days between the continental final and Al-Nassr’s final Saudi Pro League match against Damac. The same reporting says Abdullah Al-Hamdan has been prepared as a possible starter in Ronaldo’s place; Al-Hamdan has frequently been used as Ronaldo’s on-pitch substitute.

• Reports say Brozovic, Angelo, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Abdulelah Al Amri and Kingsley Coman missed training and had treatment.
• Arriyadiyah reportedly lists Brozovic as the least likely to be fit for the final.
• Jorge Jesus has reportedly promoted young players (Abdulmalik Al-Jaber, Awad Aman, Saad Haqawi, Sami Al-Najai) into first-team training.
• Local reports claim Ronaldo could be started on the bench, with Abdullah Al-Hamdan prepared as a potential starter.

Context: stakes and recent form

World Soccer Talk’s piece emphasises the occasion’s importance: Al-Nassr can win continental silverware at home and remains in a position to clinch the Saudi Pro League title in the final round, although a recent 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal delayed a potential earlier title celebration following an error by goalkeeper Bento. For Cristiano Ronaldo, the final represents a chance to add a continental trophy with Al-Nassr after previous near misses in domestic and continental competitions.

What happens next

The facts in this story come from secondary reporting of Arriyadiyah via World Soccer Talk. Confirmation will require either an official club announcement, the matchday starting XI, or a direct Arriyadiyah update. Expected next steps include final injury assessments from the club’s medical staff, Jorge Jesus’s confirmed team selection on matchday, and whether Al-Nassr proceed with rotation given the short turnaround to their league decider.

What it means: If Ronaldo is rested, Al-Nassr would be prioritising squad fitness across two high-stakes fixtures — the AFC Champions League Two final and a potential title-deciding league match five days later — while also revealing reliance on squad depth and younger players in the event of multiple absences.