September 15, (THEWILL) – Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr’s Asian Champions League Elite opener against Iraq’s Al Shorta due to a viral infection. The Portuguese football star was diagnosed on Sunday and has been advised to rest at home by the team doctor.
The Asian Champions League Elite, formerly known as the Asian Champions League, kicks off on Monday with a new format. Twenty-four teams are split into two groups East and West, with each team playing eight different opponents in the group stage. The competition now features a mini-knockout tournament from the quarter-finals onwards, to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabian clubs, including Al Nassr, Al Ahli, and Al Hilal, are expected to be major contenders in the competition following significant investments in high-profile players. Despite the absence of their 39-year-old captain, Al Nassr can still field a strong team featuring Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, and Marcelo Brozovic.
In the East zone, Japanese clubs have shown strong performances in recent years. Yokohama F-Marinos, last season’s runners-up, return to the competition alongside Kawasaki Frontale and Vissel Kobe. South Korean clubs, including three-time champions Pohang Steelers and twice winners Ulsan, will also compete.
The group stage will be followed by two-legged last 16 matches in March 2025. The final stages of the competition will take place in Saudi Arabia from April 25 to May 4. The champions will receive a prize of at least £9.1 million.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
