Al-Riyadh v Al-Nassr: Team news as Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence confirmed

Cristiano Ronaldo was, as expected, not named on the team sheet for Al-Nassr’s game with Al-Riyadh this afternoon.

Reports earlier today suggested the Portugal international was effectively on strike after making himself unavailable for the game against Al-Nassr’s cross-town rivals.

Ronaldo’s displeasure is thought to stem from what he perceives to be an imbalance in how the club’s majority stakeholder – Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – have backed Al-Nassr compared to the other clubs they own, namely Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad.

According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the final straw was the news that Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema was set to join Al-Hilal after failing to negotiate a new deal at Al-Ittihad.

Al-Hilal lead the Saudi Pro League by three points from Al-Nassr and Ronaldo seemingly feels it would give their title rivals a helping hand by having Benzema on board.

Al-Riyadh have no designs on the title and are simply trying to stay in the top flight. They haven’t won since October and sit fourth from bottom, one place above the relegation zone.

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AL-RIYADH TEAM NEWS

Al-Riyadh: Borjan; Barbet, Al Bawardi, M Al Khaibari, A Al Khaibari; Soro, Gonzalez, Al Siyahi; Oktu, Toze, Haroun

AL-NASSR TEAM NEWS

Ronaldo is replaced by Abdulrahman Ghareeb while, in the only other change, Ayman Yahya comes in for Kingsley Coman.

Al-Nassr: Bento; Al Ghannam, Simakan, Martinez, Al Nasser; Yahya, Mane, Angelo, Al Hassan; Felix, Ghareeb

How to watch Al-Riyadh v Al Nassr

Al-Riyadh versus Al-Nassr kicks off at 3.15pm UK time. It is not available on UK TV but can be streamed via the Pro League YouTube channel.

Stats for Al-Riyadh v Al-Nassr

• Al-Riyadh have conceded 38 goals in the Pro League this season,the joint worst with bottom side Al-Najma
• They have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 13 games
• The reverse game earlier this season ended in a 5-1 win for Al-Nassr