Postecoglou Defends Ronaldo After Al-Nassr's 4-0 Defeat

Ange Postecoglou launched a fierce defence of Cristiano Ronaldo after Al-Nassr’s bruising 4-0 collapse against Al-Ain, turning a routine post-match press conference into a flashpoint.

The Saudi Pro League champions opened their AFC Champions League Elite campaign in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday and were torn apart. A side that had started the season with authority suddenly looked exposed, outplayed and out of ideas.

Ronaldo, with three goals in six games so far this season, cut a frustrated figure. He struggled to influence the game and quickly became the target once the final whistle went.

The tension in the room spiked when a Saudi reporter, cited by English newspaper the Daily Mail, directly questioned whether Ronaldo’s presence in the starting XI was now holding Al-Nassr back. The journalist suggested that while the 39-year-old was not a complete burden, he “does not benefit the team”.

Postecoglou didn’t let it slide.

“Cristiano has already scored three goals. His preparation period was limited,” he snapped back. “It is not about the players. The players are giving their all and they are top-class players with wonderful character.”

The Australian coach shifted the spotlight onto himself.

“The responsibility falls on me, but you should not say that about someone who is still a role model for everyone,” he said, bristling at the line of questioning.

He wasn’t finished.

“You have to be careful when you say things like this about people who have built their career on making every sacrifice to keep playing,” Postecoglou added. “You can criticise me, no problem.”

The reporter refused to back down, insisting Ronaldo had not done “anything” in the match.

That was the trigger.

“He did not do anything? You are watching a different match to me,” Postecoglou fired back, drawing a firm line under the exchange.

On a night when the scoreline already stung, the debate around Ronaldo’s influence only sharpened the spotlight on Al-Nassr. The result leaves the champions with questions to answer in Asia – but their coach made one thing clear: any scrutiny will have to go through him before it reaches his captain.