Ronaldo ‘scores’ very early
Ronaldo scored in the 4th minute to help Al Nassr open the score 1-0. Before that, Mane and Duran scored 2 more goals in the 26th and 41st minutes to help the rich Saudi Arabian team lead the perfect score 3-0 against Al Kholood, currently ranked 10th in the Saudi Pro League.
However, at the beginning of the second half, player Boushal (Al Nassr) received a second yellow card and had to leave the field, causing the home team to play with one less player. Coach Stefano Pioli of Al Nassr immediately made an important decision, taking Ronaldo off to rest and sending in a defender, Ayman Yahya, to strengthen the defense to protect the victory.
However, unlike the last time when Ronaldo reacted somewhat restrainedly when he was substituted, this time he appeared extremely upset and had public reactions to coach Stefano Pioli right on the field. After that, the famous player went into the locker room and left before his teammates after the match.
According to Marca (Spain): “Ronaldo’s actions were very strange. Because the home team was leading 3-0 and short of players, needing a defensive player at that time was the right decision of coach Pioli. Moreover, Ronaldo is 40 years old, keeping him fit is necessary before returning to the Portuguese national team.”
This is the fifth time in 25 matches in the Saudi Pro League this season that Ronaldo has not played the full 90 minutes. The famous player is eager to complete the record of scoring 1,000 goals in his career. Therefore, it is understandable that he is unhappy every time he is substituted, according to Marca .
Al Nassr is currently ranked 3rd in the Saudi Pro League with 51 points, but is still 10 points behind the leader Al Ittihad after 25 rounds. After the above match, Ronaldo returned to the Portuguese national team to play 2 matches against Denmark in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League on March 21 and 24.
Neymar suddenly leaves the Brazilian team, Endrick takes his place
On March 15, striker Neymar suddenly announced that he decided to withdraw from the Brazilian national team due to injury, despite being on the shortlist of 23 players preparing to compete in the upcoming South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. This decision also caused him to miss a date with his close friend Messi.
“The return seems very close, but unfortunately I will not be able to return to wear the most famous number 10 shirt in the world at this time. We have had long conversations and everyone knows I really want to come back.
But we came to an agreement and decided not to take any risks, so that I can prepare better and come back completely uninjured. Thank you to everyone who sent me messages of encouragement. It’s part of the process,” Neymar said in his announcement of leaving the Brazilian national team.
Neymar recently returned to Santos, playing 7 matches, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists. This brilliant performance helped coach Dorival Junior recall Neymar to the Brazilian national team after more than 17 months of absence.
However, he recently suffered an unexpected injury, but the extent of it is unknown. The press suspects that this player faked the injury to be able to rest and attend festivals in Brazil.
However, Neymar confirmed his departure from the Brazilian national team due to injury, denying the rumors. In Neymar’s absence, coach Dorival Junior called up young striker Endrick to replace him. Similarly, goalkeepers Ederson and Danilo also left the team, with Lucas Perri (Lyon Club) and Alex Sandro (Flamengo) taking their places.
In the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America, the Brazilian team will meet Colombia (home) and Argentina (away) on March 21 and March 26.
