Why I substituted Ronaldo at half-time – Postecoglou

Al-Nassr's manager Ange Postecoglou revealed his rationale for substituting Cristiano Ronaldo at the half-time break during a crucial 3-2 victory over Al-Ettifaq. The 41-year-old Ronaldo, making his first start since the World Cup, was replaced with the team trailing 2-0 and playing with 10 men. Ronaldo's exit saw him spread his arms in frustration as he left the pitch, questioning those around him.

However, Postecoglou's decision to alter the lineup proved to be a wise move, as the Saudi Pro League champions staged a remarkable comeback. Sadio Mane and Abdulelah Al Amri scored within three minutes of the restart to draw the match level, with Mane adding a second goal in added time to seal the win. Postecoglou explained that he believed the substitutions, including Ronaldo's removal, could make a significant impact given the situation.

"When I made the substitutions, including taking Ronaldo off, I believed the players coming on could make an impact," he stated. All substitutes, according to the Australian manager, contributed positively to the dramatic turnaround. Postecoglou praised Ronaldo's first-half performance, acknowledging that the Portuguese forward had played exceptionally well despite his age and limited recent playing time.

The win kept Al-Nassr's perfect start to the season intact, with three wins from three matches and them currently topping the Saudi Pro League table. Postecoglou, who took charge of the team last month, previously managed Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest. For Ronaldo, the match marked one of what could be the final games of his illustrious playing career, as he is reportedly considering retirement after this campaign to spend more time with his family.