September 25, 2023
Gracing our screens every year, the AFC Champions League has seen its fair share of legends and superstars take to the field. But one question that has been on the minds of footie nuts around the world is whether Cristiano Ronaldo can add this coveted trophy to his collection. Join us as we find out what it will take for Ronaldo going forward.
First, a little history. The AFC Champions League has a storied one dating back to its inception in 1967, exactly 56 years before Ronaldo's arrival to the Saudi Pro League. Originally called the Asian Champion Club Tournament, it underwent several transformations before adopting its current name and format in 2002. This metamorphosis has not been without controversy. Early years saw tensions rise between Israeli and Arab clubs due to political reasons. The 1971 final wasn't even played because of this, instead being scratched completely! What followed was a 14 year break. Israeli teams were expelled from the competition in 1974 - a contentious vote at that - and are still yet to return in force to Asian football. Asia's premier club tournament returned as the Asian Club Championship in 1985. 2002 saw a further name change to its current iteration - the AFC Champions League. Had enough of the name changes? Think again! The 2024-25 will see the competition be called the AFC Champions League Elite, dropping the participating teams from 40 to 24. We are yet to see who will win this version, but it is sure to be a corker...
Cristiano Ronaldo - Back at his best:
Just like the history of the AFC Champions League, CR7's time at Al-Nassr has been full of intrigue. The Portuguese international made his Saudi Pro League debut this year with Al-Nassr in a 1-0 win over Al-Ettifaq. His presence on the pitch was felt immediately, and it was just the beginning of his journey with the Saudi team.
He notched up his first goal in a draw against Al-Fateh. A mere month later, the maestro would net his first hat-trick against Al Wehda. The Portuguese ace didn't stop there; he scored his second hat-trick for the club in a resounding 3-0 win over Damac in the same month. His goal-scoring prowess is undeniable, even at 38 years old.
Cristiano Ronaldo's stellar performances didn't go unnoticed. He was awarded the Saudi Pro League Player of the Month for February after scoring eight goals and assisting twice. It's clear that Ronaldo's impact transcends just scoring goals; he elevates his team's performance.
So far, Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 23 goals in 22 appearances for Al Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League. Two of these goals earned the team a trophy. Al Nassr won their first Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023 courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo brace in the final against rivals Al Hilal.
His ability to deliver in crucial matches bodes well for their AFC Champions League campaign for those looking to place a bet can choose wisely from the newest UK bookies and follow this exciting journey through the AFC Champions League.
Al-Nassr got their AFC Champions League campaign off to the perfect start on Tuesday, 19th September, with a valuable, and deserved, 2-0 away victory over Persepolis in Tehran. This early success has ignited hope among fans that their team could go all the way this season. Istiklol and Al-Duhail are unlikely to give this team many problems, so wrapping up the group campaign should be a cinch.
Likely to stand in their way - Al-Hilal. The most successful club in the competition, Al Nassr's perennial rivals have four AFC Champions League titles. Their dominance here is unquestionable, and they remain the team to beat. The current champions, Urawa Red Diamonds, clinched victory by beating Al-Hilal in the 2022 final. This victory disrupted Al-Hilal's reign and showed that the competition is unpredictable, making it all the more exciting.
Al-Nassr can realistically field a line-up that includes Brozovic, Mané, Ronaldo, Telles and Ozpina. Purely through talent, this should be enough to see them through to the later stages of the competition. Only time will tell if they can gel enough to defeat the titans of Neymar's Al-Hilal and the Red Diamonds.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo's journey with Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League promises to be an enthralling one. With his remarkable goal-scoring record, impact on the team, and previous success in the Arab Club Champions Cup, the question, "Can Ronaldo win the AFC Champions League?" remains open. The competition, led by giants like Al-Hilal, will be fierce, but Ronaldo's influence may just tip the scales in Al-Nassr's favour. As the tournament unfolds, football fans worldwide will be eagerly watching to see if Ronaldo can add another illustrious title to his name...
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on September 29 for the Saudi Pro League, against Al Taee. You can watch Al Taee vs Al Nassr, Real Madrid vs Las Palmas, Liverpool vs Leicester City, Manchester United vs Crystal Palace, Brentford vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Brighton, all matches provided from our live soccer game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Taee vs Al Nassr kick-off time (29-09-2023):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 21:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 18:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+3: 16:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 15:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 14:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 10:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 09:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 06:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / arabicpost.net / nytimes.com / olympics.com
