Postecoglou Defends Ronaldo After Al-Nassr's Heavy Defeat
Ange Postecoglou sprang to Cristiano Ronaldo’s defence in a spiky post-match press conference after Al-Nassr were thrashed 4-0 by Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi Pro League champions opened their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a performance that unravelled quickly and brutally, their early-season optimism ripped apart by a ruthless Al-Ain side. The scoreline stung. So did the questions that followed.
Ronaldo, with three goals in six games this season, cut a frustrated figure on the pitch and soon became the lightning rod off it. A Saudi reporter challenged his place in the starting XI, suggesting the veteran forward “does not benefit the team” and hinting that his presence might even be holding Al-Nassr back.
Postecoglou bristled.
“Cristiano has already scored three goals. His preparation period was limited,” he replied, pushing back hard on the idea that his captain was the problem. “It is not about the players. The players are giving their all and they are top-class players with wonderful character.”
The Australian coach did not flinch from where he felt the blame should land.
“The responsibility falls on me,” he said, before drawing a clear line over how Ronaldo should be spoken about. “But you should not say that about someone who is still a role model for everyone.”
The room tightened. The reporter doubled down, insisting Ronaldo had not done “anything” in the game.
That was enough for Postecoglou.
“He did not do anything? You are watching a different match to me,” he shot back, his irritation now unmistakable.
Postecoglou went further, defending not just Ronaldo’s performance on the night, but the body of work behind the name.
“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,” he warned. “You can criticise me, no problem.”
Al-Nassr’s defeat raises serious questions about their continental ambitions, but Postecoglou made one thing abundantly clear: as the pressure grows, he will stand in front of his captain, not behind him.
