Cristiano Ronaldo is not retiring; recalled to Portugal squad by coach who won him Saudi title

Dubai: Al Nassr's coach, Ange Postecoglou, engaged in a fiery argument with a reporter over the impact of Cristiano Ronaldo on the team. The conflict arose after Al Nassr's 4-0 loss to Al Ain in their inaugural AFC Champions League Elite game. The reporter questioned whether Ronaldo's presence was advantageous for Al Nassr, citing the team's improved performances without the Portuguese forward in recent matches.

Postecoglou vehemently disagreed with the statement and championed Ronaldo's contribution to the team. Despite Ronaldo's subdued performance in the match, Postecoglou maintained that the player was still preparing and would continue to give his all for the team. The Australian coach warned the reporter against questioning Ronaldo's impact and legacy, emphasizing the player's remarkable career achievements.

When the reporter cited Ronaldo's lack of goals in recent matches, Postecoglou disputed the claim, accusing the journalist of not watching the matches closely enough. Ronaldo had started the 2026-27 season with impressive goalscoring form but has since scored fewer goals. Regardless, the coach's support for Ronaldo has reignited hopes for the player to prove his worth and quieten his detractors during the upcoming matches.