.jpg)
Why Cristiano Ronaldo will deny Masud Juma 'dream' meeting
.jpg)
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 03.03.25. | 10:56
Elsewhere, Al Nassr had written to the AFC to consider having their clash with Esteghlal played in a neutral venue
Arguably the greatest footballer under the sun, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be meeting Kenyan international Masoud Juma just yet after failing to travel with his Saudi club Al Nassr for their AFC Champions League clash.
Ronaldo's Al Nassr will take on Juma’s Iranian club Esteghlal on Monday, 3 March 2025, for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
Al Nassr head coach Stefano Pioli confirmed Ronaldo's absence and attributed it to injury, though the former AC Milan manager played down its severity.
“He had a physical problem. I wouldn't say it was 100% a big problem, but we preferred him not to be in the game," said Pioli, as quoted by beIN Sports.
Pioli’s statement came against the backdrop of reports from sections of the media that the Portuguese star is out of the squad to Iran due to a law in the country.
This is after a video showed the former Real Madrid star kissing and hugging Fatemeh Hammami Nasrabadi, a disabled artist who paints using her feet, in 2023 during Al Nassr’s visit to Iran, a vice that is considered adultery as that was not Ronaldo's wife.
According to Iranian law, the punishment for adultery includes up to 99 lashes, a punishment that could have awaited Ronaldo.
Elsewhere, Al Nassr had written to the AFC to consider having their clash with Esteghlal played in a neutral venue for security purposes, but their request was rejected by the hosts.
The request was anchored on the fact that in September 2023, when they were hosted by Persepolis, fans stormed the team’s hotel due to the presence of Ronaldo, and police had to intervene to disperse the crowd for the safety of the players.
The absence of Ronaldo in the clash will deny Harambee Stars striker Masoud Juma his dream of sharing a pitch with Ronaldo.
In February 2025, Juma expressed joy at the possibility of achieving a dream meeting with the former Manchester United winger.
“Dreams come true. I will finally share the pitch with CR7,” he posted.
The former Cape Town City forward might, however also miss the match after picking up an injury in mid-February, locking him out of Esteghlal's last two matches.
The match between the two sides kicks off at 1900 hrs at the Azadi Sports Complex.
