Postecoglou Defends Ronaldo After Al-Nassr's 4-0 Defeat
Ange Postecoglou launched a fierce defence of Cristiano Ronaldo after Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite campaign opened with a brutal reality check in the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi Pro League champions were dismantled 4-0 by Al-Ain on Tuesday, a result that sliced through the optimism built by a strong start to the domestic season and left their star captain in the firing line.
Ronaldo, with three goals in six games so far this term, laboured to influence the contest and quickly became the main target in the post-match inquest. According to the English newspaper the Daily Mail, a Saudi reporter directly challenged Postecoglou in the press conference, questioning whether Ronaldo’s presence in the starting XI was now holding Al-Nassr back and claiming the veteran forward “does not benefit the team”, even if he was not “entirely a burden”.
The question lit the fuse.
“Cristiano has already scored three goals. His preparation period was limited,” Postecoglou snapped back, refusing to pin the defeat on his captain. “It is not about the players. The players are giving their all and they are top-class players with wonderful character.”
He made it clear where he believed the blame should sit.
“The responsibility falls on me, but you should not say that about someone who is still a role model for everyone,” he continued, drawing a firm line around Ronaldo’s status in the dressing room and beyond.
Postecoglou then broadened his defence, turning the conversation from tactics to respect.
“You have to be careful when you say things like this about people who have built their career on making every sacrifice to keep playing,” he said. “You can criticise me, no problem.”
The reporter refused to back down, doubling down on the claim that Ronaldo had not done “anything” in the match.
That was too much for the Al-Nassr boss.
“He did not do anything? You are watching a different match to me,” Postecoglou fired back, ending the exchange with a pointed dismissal.
A heavy defeat, a captain under attack, and a coach standing firmly in front of the firing line. Al-Nassr’s continental campaign has barely begun, but the scrutiny around Ronaldo and his manager has already gone up a level.
