Kenyan international Masud Juma will have to wait for another opportunity to face football icon Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese forward was left out of Al Nassr’s squad for their upcoming AFC Champions League round of 16 clash against Esteghlal. The Saudi club travelled to Tehran to face Masud Juma’s Iranian side, but Ronaldo was ultimately not called up by head coach Stefano Pioli due to security concerns.
The decision comes amid reports that Cristiano Ronaldo risks facing up to 100 lashes in Iran over an alleged act of “adultery,” as interpreted by Iranian authorities. The controversy stems from a September 2023 incident when Ronaldo was filmed embracing and kissing on the forehead Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi, a 34-year-old disabled Iranian artist renowned for painting with her feet. Under Iranian law, such an act can be considered adultery if directed toward someone who is not a spouse, potentially carrying a punishment of 99 lashes.
Given these circumstances, Al Nassr’s management requested that the fixture be played at a neutral venue to ensure the safety of their star player. However, Esteghlal declined the request, though they assured the Saudi club that stringent security measures would be in place for all visiting players and officials.
Despite these assurances, Al Nassr officially announced their squad for the match today, with Ronaldo’s absence drawing significant attention. The decision to leave him out reflects the club’s caution in navigating the sensitive political and legal situation in Iran.
Masud Juma, who has been making strides with Esteghlal, will now focus on helping his side advance in the tournament without the much-anticipated showdown against one of football’s biggest names. The AFC Champions League clash promises to be a high-stakes encounter, albeit without one of the sport’s most recognizable figures on the pitch.
