Ange Postecoglou Defends Cristiano Ronaldo After Al-Nassr Loss

Ange Postecoglou launched a fierce defence of Cristiano Ronaldo after Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League Elite campaign began with a brutal reality check in the United Arab Emirates.

The Saudi Pro League champions were thrashed 4-0 by Al-Ain on Tuesday, a result that cut straight through the optimism built by their strong start to the season. The scoreline stung. So did the reaction.

Ronaldo, with three goals in six matches so far this term, endured a quiet night and quickly found himself in the firing line during the post-match press conference. One Saudi reporter, cited by English newspaper the Daily Mail, directly questioned whether the 39-year-old’s presence in the starting XI was now holding Al-Nassr back, arguing that the legendary forward “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, refusing to pin the defeat on his captain. “It is not about the players. The players are giving their all and they are top-class players with wonderful character.”

The Australian manager pulled the blame squarely onto his own shoulders.

“The responsibility falls on me, but you should not say that about someone who is still a role model for everyone,” he continued, his tone sharpening as he spoke in defence of a player whose career has been built on relentless standards.

Then came the warning.

“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 said. “You can criticise me, no problem.”

The reporter refused to back down, insisting Ronaldo had not done “anything” in the game. That pushed Postecoglou to one final, cutting reply.

“He did not do anything? You are watching a different match to me.”

On a night when Al-Nassr were humbled on the pitch, their manager made it clear: if the knives are coming out, they will have to go through him before they reach his captain.