Postecoglou defends Ronaldo after Al-Nassr suffer 4-0 defeat by Al Ain

Ange Postecoglou defended Cristiano Ronaldo during a heated exchange with a Saudi reporter after Al-Nassr began their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a 4-0 defeat by Al Ain.

The result was a damaging setback for the Saudi Pro League champions in their opening match of the competition in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday. It also brought Al-Nassr back down to earth after their strong start to the season.

Ronaldo, who has scored three goals in six appearances, struggled to influence the match and faced sharp criticism during the post-match news conference.

According to the English newspaper the Daily Mail, a Saudi reporter asked Postecoglou whether Ronaldo’s inclusion in Al-Nassr’s starting line-up had become an obstacle for the team.

The reporter suggested that, while the Portugal forward was not exactly a burden, the legendary striker was “not helping the team”.

Postecoglou rejected that suggestion and said Ronaldo’s contribution should not be judged in isolation.

“Cristiano has already scored three goals; his preparation period was limited,” Postecoglou said. “It’s not about the players. The players are giving everything, they are top-class players and they have great character.”

He added: “The responsibility lies with me, but you shouldn’t say that about somebody who is still setting an example for everyone.”

The Al-Nassr manager then warned the reporter to show greater care when discussing a player whose career had been built on sustained sacrifice.

“You have to be careful when you say things like that about people who have built their careers by making every sacrifice to continue playing,” he said. “You can criticise me, no problem.”

The exchange continued when the reporter repeated his criticism, arguing that Ronaldo had done “nothing” during the match.

Postecoglou responded: “He did nothing? You’re watching a different game to me.”

The defeat represented a sharp contrast with Al-Nassr’s early-season form and left Postecoglou to accept responsibility for the performance, while continuing to support his captain in public.

Ronaldo’s limited influence against Al Ain had been a central focus of the discussion, but Postecoglou insisted the criticism should not be directed at the forward, who he described as an example to others.

The 4-0 loss was Al-Nassr’s first match in this season’s AFC Champions League Elite and came against Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates.