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Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has clarified the absence of his two star players following the team's dominant 5-0 win over Al Khaleej. Despite the convincing victory, questions remained about the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane, who were both absent from the matchday squad due to minor fitness issues.
Jesus Confirms Return Date for Star Duo
After the match against Al Khaleej, Jesus told the media that fans will need to wait a bit longer to see Ronaldo and Mane back on the pitch. "Ronaldo and Mane should return after the international break. Everyone knows they are great players, but they will be out for a while. Mane felt pain a few days ago, so we decided to leave him out. He will be fit after the break," the coach explained.
Managing the Squad Amid the Title Race
Al-Nassr currently sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League with 67 points, holding a three-point lead over rivals Al Hilal. The club is navigating a crucial phase of the season without their two superstars. With the league set to resume in early April, Jesus is focused on ensuring his main goal scorers are fully fit for the final stretch of the campaign.
The Portuguese coach acknowledged the bittersweet nature of the upcoming international break given his team's excellent form. "A victory against a good team. We have eight finals to be champions. Unfortunately for us, the league is going to stop when we are at our best and achieving results," Jesus remarked, emphasizing the momentum his side has built.
Felix Reaches 'Historic' Heights
In Ronaldo's absence, fellow Portuguese international Joao Felix took centre stage, scoring twice in the 5-0 win to bring his season tally to an impressive 21 goals. Jesus praised Felix's resurgence and statistical output since joining the Saudi top flight, noting that the forward is achieving levels he never reached in European domestic football.
"Joao Felix has reached historic numbers that he had never achieved at the clubs he played for," Jesus told reporters. "This demonstrates that there is a different individual work, in addition to great teamwork." The manager's comments suggest that Al-Nassr's training regime has helped Felix unlock his full potential.
What's Next for Al-Nassr?
The return of key players like Ronaldo and Mane will be vital for Al-Nassr. Ronaldo's leadership and experience, combined with Mane's pace and attacking threat, could be decisive as the club faces the final eight matches of the season when the league resumes in April.
Al-Nassr will start this crucial phase with a seemingly straightforward fixture, hosting bottom-of-the-table side Al-Najma in the Saudi Pro League.
