Cristiano Ronaldo was absent on Wednesday as Al Nassr advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two with a 1-0 win over Turkmenistan’s Arkadag FC for a 2-0 aggregate win.
Ronaldo, 41, who returned last Saturday after missing three games in a row due to reports of dissatisfaction with the club’s management, watched from the stands.
According to local media, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who has yet to win a major trophy since signing for the Riyadh club in December 2022, will be rested for the Saudi Pro League matches and the final stages of the AFC Champions League.
Al Nassr will take on Al Wasl of the United Arab Emirates on March 3 in the first leg of the quarter-finals of Asia’s second-tier competition.
In the AFC Champions League Elite, Japan and South Korea sent three and two teams respectively to the round of 16 in the eastern zone. The top eight from each of the two groups of twelve teams will advance to the next stage.
Malaysia’s Johor Darul Tazim and Thailand’s Buriram United also progressed, while Melbourne City became only the second Australian team to reach the round of 16 since 2016.
In the western zone, big-spending Saudi Arabian clubs dominated, with Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad all finishing in the top four. Tractor of Iran came third, while Al Duhail and Al Sadd from Qatar advanced along with Al Wahda.
The first legs in the round of 16 are scheduled for March 2 and 3.
Published on February 19, 2026
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