Al-Nassr faced off against Esteghlal FC on March 3, 2025, in the Asian Champions League, drawing 0-0 without their star captain, Cristiano Ronaldo. The absence of the Portuguese forward was felt acutely by the team, as they struggled to find the back of the net throughout the match at the Azadi Stadium, Tehran.
Ronaldo, the esteemed 40-year-old forward, was left out of the squad reportedly to avoid violating Iranian laws, which could impose severe consequences following his past interactions with Iranian artist Fatemeh Hamami Nasrabadi. According to reports by Football España, Ronaldo kissed the artist on the forehead during their previous meeting, which could lead to the punishment of 99 lashes under strict interpretations of Iranian law.
The match saw Al-Nassr's winter signing, Jhon Duran, stepping up to fill the considerable void left by Ronaldo. Duran, who joined Al-Nassr from Premier League club Aston Villa, had high hopes but unfortunately floundered under the pressure, failing to add to his tournament tally.
Throughout the first half, Duran encountered several opportunities to change the game. His first significant chance arrived when he managed to slip behind the Esteghlal defense just 20 minutes in. Unluckily for him, his shot was directly at Esteghlal's goalkeeper, Hossein Hosseini, who easily denied the attempt. Following this, Ayman Yahya was quick to try and pounce on the rebound, but his effort was blocked on the goal line.
Despite dominating possession, Al-Nassr's attack looked ineffective as the team approached the hour mark. Shortly thereafter, Duran received another chance from Marcelo Brozovic, which should have broken the deadlock. Still, Duran's attempt—even with the goalkeeper stranded—lacked sufficient momentum and was again thwarted by Hosseini.
The frustrations continued for Duran as he hit the base of the post from a tight angle later on. Minutes after, he shot high and wide from the left side of the area, missing yet another opportunity to score. Al-Nassr's manager, Stefano Pioli, expressed visible concern as his team struggled to adapt without their reliable captain. Looking to the future, he commented about hoping to welcome Ronaldo back for the return leg at home, where the team will need his experience and talent to advance.
With Ronaldo being integral to Al-Nassr's performance—scoring six goals across five Champions League appearances this season—his absence undoubtedly places additional pressure on his teammates to step up. The draw leaves Al-Nassr facing Esteghlal with mixed feelings heading back to Riyadh. Roberto Di Matteo explained, "We are disappointed, but we must look forward. We've got another chance to make things right at home."
The upcoming return leg on March 10, 2025, will be pivotal for Al-Nassr. The team will need to regroup and refocus, especially with the potential return of their captain. Fans across the region are eager to see how they will respond to this setback, with many counting on Ronaldo to drive their aspirations forward.
While the legal concerns surrounding Ronaldo's past interactions cast shadows on his availability, they have also brought light to the unique cultural challenges athletes face when participating internationally. With dreams of continental glory hanging delicately, Al-Nassr must find solutions and rise to the occasion when Esteghlal makes the return visit next week. The stakes have never been higher as Al-Nassr embarks on the next phase of their Champions League campaign.