Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make the spherical journey of round 2,200 miles as Al-Nassr had been held by Esteghlal at Iran’s nationwide stadium within the first leg of their AFC Champions League spherical of 16 tie.
5-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo shared a message of assist for his group on his Instagram account – the most-followed on the platform – hours earlier than kick-off, telling them: “Let’s go”.
Al-Nassr went closest throughout an end-to-end first half on the 78,116-capacity Azadi Stadium, the place Ramin Rezaeian brilliantly headed Ayman Yahya’s header off the road after Iran goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini had stored out Jhon Duran’s shot together with his legs.
An evening to neglect for Al Nassr in assault, however one to recollect for Esteghlal’s defence! #ACLElite | #ESTvNSR pic.twitter.com/rf7RnFbsaR
— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) March 3, 2025
Duran – a £65 million January signing from Aston Villa – despatched a low end in opposition to a put up and twice had photographs turned behind by Hosseini because the Colombia ahead went a 3rd sport and not using a aim for his new membership.
The second leg will happen in Riyadh on March 10 (6pm GMT).
Why did Ronaldo not play for Al Nassr in Iran?
Al-Nassr wrote to organisers asking for the sport to be performed “on impartial floor” due to “Ronaldo’s unhealthy expertise in Tehran”, in line with the DPA information company through MailOnline.
Police reportedly needed to disperse crowds who mobbed Al Nassr’s resort once they visited Tehran membership Persepolis in September 2023.
Ronaldo was not concerned when Al-Nassr drew 0-0 at Azadi Stadium in opposition to Persepolis, who additionally use the bottom, on February 17, though his facet had already certified for the final 16 by that time.
Who can get previous Seyed Hosseini? 🧤#ACLElite | #ESTvNSR pic.twitter.com/TYaBXJR9zl
— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) March 3, 2025
The Portugal captain’s official YouTube channel, which has nearly 74 million subscribers, streamed the Riyadh Premier Padel Finals throughout that sport.
Two-time African Footballer of the Yr Mane was an unused substitute at Persepolis and never within the matchday squad for Al-Nassr’s 2-1 Saudi Professional League defeat at Al-Orobah on Friday.
Esteghlal vs Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr supervisor Stefano Pioli made 4 adjustments, bringing in Sadio Mane for Ronaldo, full-back Nawaf Boushal for Majed Qashish and wingers Awad Ali Al-Hassan and Ayman Yahya for Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhem and Wesley Teixeira.
The hosts fielded a five-man defence and had 29% of first-half possession, however Iran nationwide group newcomer Mohammad Reza Azadi examined Al-Nassr goalkeeper Bento with an angled drive.
Esteghlal had the primary probability of the second half when Armin Sohrabian headed over in house, marking a brilliant restart after Kyrgyzstan ahead Joel Kojo got here on for Azadi at half-time.
Sohrabian turned supplier to provide a golden alternative shortly afterwards, discovering Rezaeian in entrance of aim with a looking out cross from the left that his fellow wing-back might solely nod the flawed facet of a put up.
Esteghlal: Kojo threatens winner
Al-Nassr beat Esteghlal 1-0 by means of former Manchester Metropolis defender Aymeric Laporte’s aim in Dubai throughout the group stage on October 22.
Newly managed by former Crvena zvezda boss Miodrag Bozovic, Esteghlal gained the AFC Champions League in 1970 and 1991.
The oldest skilled group in Tehran have gained the Persian Gulf Professional League 9 occasions however are at present ninth out of 16 golf equipment within the division after successful solely six of their first 21 league video games of the season.
Having misplaced to Persepolis on Thursday, Esteghlal greater than held their very own in opposition to Al-Nassr and got here near a late winner when Kojo headed narrowly vast.
Cristiano Ronaldo targets
Ronaldo has netted as soon as in his final 4 league video games however continues to be the highest scorer within the Saudi Professional League with 17 targets, {followed} by Al-Ittihad’s Karim Benzema on 16.
The 40-year-old collected the league’s aim of the week award earlier than Al-Nassr performed at Al Orobah on Friday, however the night led to distress for Actual Madrid’s all-time prime scorer as fourth-placed Al-Nassr dropped factors for the ninth time in 23 league video games this season, together with a obtrusive Ronaldo miss when the scoreline was 1-1.
With 11 league video games of the marketing campaign remaining, Al-Nassr are 10 factors behind leaders Al-Ittihad, 4 shy of second-placed reigning champions Al-Hilal and three adrift of third-placed Al-Qadsiah.
Ronaldo Champions League stats
Ronaldo has six targets on this season’s AFC Champions League because the 40-year-old seems to be so as to add to his solitary trophy since becoming a member of Al-Nassr in the beginning of 2023, successful the Arab Membership Champions Cup that 12 months.
4 of these targets have are available in his final three appearances within the competitors, scoring twice every away to Qatari opponents Al-Gharafa on November 25 and at dwelling to Emirati group Al-Wasl on February 3.
Al-Nassr had been knocked out on penalties by Emirati group Al Ain within the quarter-finals final season in Ronaldo’s first expertise of the competitors.
He gained the 2007/08 Champions League in Europe with Manchester United and repeated the feat 4 occasions between 2014 and 2018 with Actual Madrid.
Al-Nassr host sixth-placed Al-Shabab on Friday (7pm GMT) of their home prime flight.
