Al-Nassr said in an official statement: “The captain of the first team, Cristiano Ronaldo, suffered a health problem (a viral infection), and after the club’s doctor followed up on his condition, it was decided that he needed to rest and not accompany the mission to travel on Sunday.”
This means Ronaldo will miss the upcoming trip to Baghdad, where he was supposed to play for Al-Nassr in their match against Police Iraqi, Monday, in a match in the Asian Champions League for the elite.
Ronaldo’s absence represents a state of frustration in the Iraqi street, which has prepared in an unprecedented manner to receive the international star.
Comments from Iraqis spread on social media after the news was announced, and one activist asked: “What about the thousands who bought tickets for him?”
Another wrote:You will lose your popularity in Iraq and shock the Iraqi public by not coming to Baghdad.“
How did Iraq prepare to receive Ronaldo?
- The Iraqi News Agency reported that the Department of Residence Affairs issued an entry visa for Ronaldo.
- The agency confirmed, quoting a source, that a visa was issued to Georgina, Ronaldo’s girlfriend, to accompany him to his team’s match.
- The Police Club said thatRonaldo He will be in Baghdad with the Al-Nasr team to play the match. The passports of all the players of the Saudi Al-Nasr team have arrived at the administration in order to grant an entry visa, including his passport,” according to the agency.
- The match venue was moved from Karbala to Baghdad, after the Saudi club requested it for security reasons, which the Iraqi Federation agreed to, according to Saudi media sources.