Ahmed Ateef, the former Saudi Arabia international, has questioned whether Cristiano Ronaldo should continue to start for Al Nassr, claiming the club could lose against major opponents if the Portugal captain is selected from the outset.
Ronaldo scored after coming off the bench in Al Nassr’s 4-0 victory over Al Riyadh on Friday, a result that sent his side to the top of the Roshn Saudi League table after two rounds.
The 40-year-old was introduced after an hour and found the net as Al Nassr completed a convincing win. Despite Ronaldo’s contribution, Ateef argued that the timing of his appearance made it easier for him to influence the match.
Speaking on the television programme Dourina Ghair, Ateef said: “It is natural for Ronaldo to score after coming on because the match was almost over. The coach should not start him in the upcoming matches.”
Ateef, who was capped by Saudi Arabia during his playing career, said Ronaldo’s physical and technical levels had declined significantly. He specifically warned against selecting him from the beginning in matches against Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah.
“Ronaldo’s technical and physical level has dropped a lot, and starting him, particularly in the big matches against Al Ahli, Al Hilal and Al Qadsiah, will cause Al Nassr to lose,” he added.
The former midfielder also suggested that Al Nassr would need a different approach when facing the strongest teams in the division. In his view, those matches require sustained pressure and an ability to restrict the opposition’s space.
“Against the strong teams, Al Nassr needs to press and close down the spaces. Ronaldo is no longer able to do those things, and as a result Al Nassr effectively play with 10 players,” Ateef said.
He stressed that his criticism was related only to Ronaldo’s footballing role and was not intended as a personal attack. Ateef believes the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward could still start against teams battling relegation or those positioned in mid-table.
However, he maintained that Ronaldo’s presence in the starting line-up could be damaging when Al Nassr face the leading sides.
Ateef concluded: “My comments about Ronaldo are purely technical and I do not mean to offend him, but this is the reality. I believe 70% of Al Nassr fans agree with me.”
Ronaldo’s goal against Al Riyadh came after he began the match among the substitutes. Al Nassr’s four-goal victory nevertheless secured their place at the summit of the competition following the opening two rounds.
