Postecoglou backs Ronaldo to deliver for Al Nassr after Portugal dispute

Cristiano Ronaldo has received a strong vote of confidence from Al Nassr manager Ange Postecoglou, who says the Portugal captain is in excellent physical and mental condition ahead of the club’s AFC Champions League Elite meeting with Neftchi.

Postecoglou’s comments come after a turbulent international break for Ronaldo, who became involved in a public disagreement with Portugal manager Jorge Jesus over his involvement with the national team.

Speaking at his pre-match news conference, Postecoglou said: “Cristiano Ronaldo is in a good place mentally and physically. You saw him in the last game he played the full match and scored a goal so I am certain he is in good condition.”

The Australian coach was referring to Ronaldo’s return to club football following the international controversy. The 40-year-old responded on the pitch by scoring in Al Nassr’s 3-0 victory over Al-Diriyah in the eighth round of the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo started that match and produced an energetic display, offering a significant attacking threat throughout the game. His performance provided Postecoglou with clear evidence of the player’s readiness before the important Asian fixture.

The latest dispute began during Portugal’s match against Norway, when Ronaldo remained on the substitutes’ bench for the entire game despite having warmed up with the expectation that he might be introduced.

According to Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus had told him he could play for 30 minutes, but ultimately did not send him on. The decision angered the Al Nassr captain and contributed to his departure from the Portugal camp before the team’s meeting with Denmark.

The disagreement was not limited to the decision over Ronaldo’s playing time. The forward later said that he and Jesus had also reached an understanding about how the situation would be explained publicly, accusing the manager of breaking his promises on two occasions.

Jesus denied that such an agreement had existed and said decisions over team selection and playing time were matters for his technical judgement.

What began as a disagreement over one player’s omission therefore developed into an open dispute involving claims about promises, trust and the treatment of one of football’s most prominent figures.

Ronaldo returned to Al Nassr with the opportunity to shift attention back towards his performances. His goal against Al-Diriyah, combined with his work-rate and attacking presence, appeared to ease concerns about the effect of the events surrounding the national team.

Postecoglou will now hope the Portugal captain can carry that form into the match against Neftchi, with the Al Nassr manager insisting Ronaldo is in the best possible condition for the final chapter of the latest controversy.