Cristiano Ronaldo injury forces Al Nassr to cancel China tour, players apologises; irate fans storm hotel

Al Nassr cancelled their two friendly games in China after Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury, the Saudi Pro League club announced. It also sparked concerns over his participation in the fixture against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Riyadh Cup. Al-Nassr were due to play Shanghai Shenhua on Jan. 24 and Zhejiang four days later, with both games now postponed. “We are willing to complete our training camp as planned in Shenzhen, a city that has warmly welcomed us and shown so much love for us and our Captain,” Al-Nassr said in a statement. “Furthermore, we have agreed with the organizer to schedule a new match as soon as possible.”

Club Statement about #AlNassrChinaTour2024 🇨🇳#利雅得胜利中国行 pic.twitter.com/QFnhiyV3py

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 23, 2024

Ronaldo, 38, apologised to the fans as he confirmed he was struggling with a fitness issue. “As you know, in football some things you cannot control. I have played 22 years in football and I am a player that doesn’t have too many injuries. So I’m really sad because Al-Nassr and myself have come to China to enjoy the tour. I have been coming to China since 2003/2004, so I feel at home here – my second home. I felt that I am always special here. I feel sad. I know you are sad too, especially the people who love Cristiano, but we have to see this in a good way. We have not cancelled the game, we want to push for the game and be back here. We will be back. “Unfortunately, I have some problem, but this is part of football and my life. I’m here, I’m with the fans, I’m with the Chinese people and we are going to continue here. We can see outside the people that are with us. We are sad because we knew this could happen. We will be back to make the Chinese people happy, this is my goal. I want to play for you. Don’t be sad because I am sad and I hope you understand the circumstances of a football player,” he said in a statement.

⚽️🚨🎥| Chaos in China as fans are now STORMING the concourse of the hotel where the Al Nassr team are staying, chanting Ronaldo’s name. 🤯 !!!

[via @bt3]

pic.twitter.com/ceXtg3ax1B

— Recap Wallpaper (@recapwallpaper) January 23, 2024

Locura en China 🇨🇳 por Cristiano Ronaldo

Miles de fans chinos irrumpieron en el hotel donde se hospeda Cristiano, todos quieren verlo. pic.twitter.com/lE7iQOCq6w

— Blue (@BlueboyCR7) January 23, 2024

Following the development of Ronaldo missing the games in China, multiple fans thronged the team’s hotel.

🎬 || From Riyadh to Shenzhen ✈️
Here's the BTS of our trip, and the 1st day 🤩

Enjoy it 🍿#النصر_في_الصين 🇨🇳#AlNassrChinaTour2024#利雅得胜利中国行
pic.twitter.com/UlKjHb3UMx

— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) January 22, 2024

Ronaldo was in Dubai last week to be honoured with three prizes at the Globe Soccer Awards and missed the team’s training session at the beginning of the week. Al Nassr are scheduled to play Inter Miami in a friendly tournament in Riyadh on 1 February. The two teams will also play Neymar’s Al-Hilal, albeit without the Brazilian who is nursing a long-term injury, the current Saudi Pro League leaders.