Pakhtakor vs Al-Nassr at 6:45pm PKT: why Ronaldo is not playing in Tashkent tonight

Pakhtakor vs Al-Nassr, the AFC Champions League Elite match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, kicked off at 6:45pm Pakistan time on Monday, 2 November 2026 (1:45pm GMT), and Cristiano Ronaldo is not playing. Al-Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou left him out of the travelling squad, along with Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan.

Why Ronaldo is out

It is rotation, not injury, according to Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah as reported by World Soccer Talk. The club is managing workloads after a long trip and a crowded run of fixtures. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in the 5-3 win over Al-Kholood on 29 October, which took him to 985 career goals, 15 short of 1,000, as we reported.

When does Ronaldo play next? He is expected to return for Al-Nassr's Saudi Pro League away match at Al-Hazem on Friday, 6 November, subject to fitness and the coach's decision.

Where the two sides stand

• Al-Nassr: 3 points from 2 Champions League Elite games: a 4-0 defeat to Al-Ain and a 3-1 win over Neftchi Fergana. Their home game against Al-Wasl was postponed when Al-Wasl could not travel to Saudi Arabia.
• Pakhtakor: no win yet in this campaign: draws with Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah and a home defeat to Neftchi Fergana.
• In the league, Al-Nassr have 28 points from 11 matches (9 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat).

Team news

101 Great Goals expected Sadio Mane and Joao Felix to lead Al-Nassr's attack, with Bento in goal and Samu Costa back from suspension. Pakhtakor defender Khozhiabar Alizhonov was a fitness doubt.

What is at stake

A win would take Al-Nassr to 6 points and keep them in the race for the knockout places in the West region, with a game in hand once the Al-Wasl match is rescheduled. For Pakhtakor, it is a home chance to get a first win on the board against a side without its biggest name.

We will add the final score here. More football and the rest of the day's sport is on our sports desk.