US EditionRonaldo Absent as Al Nassr Reaches Afc Champions League Two Quarterfinals
Ronaldo missed his fourth consecutive game amid reported management issues; Al Nassr secured a 2-0 aggregate win to reach the quarterfinals of Asia's second-tier club competition.
- On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Arkadag, sealing a 2-0 aggregate, reported around February 18, 2026.
- Domestic media reported that Ronaldo was being rested for Saudi Pro League matches and the latter stages of the AFC Champions League after returning last Saturday from missing three games amid reports of discontent.
- The 41-year-old Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, was pictured training on February 18, 2026, ahead of the AFC Champions League Two match, but watched from the stands.
- Al Nassr's progression sets up a March 3 quarterfinal first leg versus Al Wasl, United Arab Emirates club, with first legs scheduled for March 2 and March 3.
- In the western zone, Saudi clubs dominated the top positions with Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad finishing in the top four, while Japan and South Korea sent three and two teams respectively to the round of 16 in the eastern zone.
14 Articles
14 Articles
By The Associated Press - Cristiano Ronaldo was absent Wednesday as Al Nassr advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League 2 with a 1-0 victory over Arkadag of Turkmenistan. The Saudi side secured a 2-0 aggregate win. Ronaldo, 41, who returned Saturday after missing three consecutive matches amid reports of discontent with the club's management, watched from the stands. According to local media, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who …
Al-Nassr Vs Arkadag, AFC Champions League Two 2025-26: Cristiano Ronaldo Watches From Stands As Saudi Side Seal Quarterfinal Spot
Al-Nassr vs Arkadag, AFC Champions League Two 2025-26: Cristiano Ronaldo was rested and watched from the stands as Al-Nassr sealed a 1-0 win over Arkadag, progressing 2-0 on aggregate into the quarterfinals
Associated Press News
Ronaldo absent as Al Nassr reaches AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent as Al Nassr advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Two with a 1-0 win over Arkadag FC of Turkmenistan that secured a 2-0 aggregate victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo on sidelines as Al-Nassr advances to AFC Champions League Two quarterfinals: 2026 signing Abdullah Al-Hamdan speaks out in his absence with four-word message
As Al-Nassr faced Arkadag in a high-stakes knockout tie, the Saudi giant delivered a composed performance to secure progress, while its global icon watched from the stands. Cristiano Ronaldo and Abdullah Al-Hamdan were both part of the narrative on a decisive continental night, even though only one of them stepped onto the pitch. As Al-Nassr faced Arkadag in a high-stakes knockout tie, the Saudi giant delivered a composed performance to secure p…
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