Credit: X
Al-Nassr’s tour to China has been officially postponed after arriving in the city of Shenzhen ahead of their friendlies against Shanghai Shenhua and Zhejiang FC. The organisers have confirmed that the star player of Al-Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, is suffering from an injury, which is why they have decided to cut short their trip to China.
ALSO WATCH | Cristiano Ronaldo enjoys Chinese food during Al-Nassr's tour to China
As per the schedule, Al-Nassr were set to play against Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday, January 24 before taking on Zhejiang on Thursday, January 28. Instead, they will now return to Saudi Arabia to start their preparation for the upcoming clash against Inter Miami on February 1, with an expectation to see Cristiano Ronaldo fit and playing again.
The official of the organising committee issued an official statement about the postponement of Al-Nassr’s tour to China in a press conference while committing to refund the tickets along with reimbursing flights and hotel costs. He remarked, “I am very sorry to inform you that the Al Nassr Winter Tour will be postponed due to physical reasons for Cristiano Ronaldo. [He] is difficult to play due to injury. Tickets will be refunded in full and hotel tickets all-inclusive. Fans will be refunded their tickets in full and will also be reimbursed for their flight and hotel tickets.”
I apologise to all the Chinese fans: Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo was also present at the press conference, conveying his disappointment about his sudden injury, which forced Al-Nassr to postpone their tour to China. He was quoted as saying, “I am a player who does not suffer injuries often even though I have been playing for 22 years.”
The 38-year-old also felt sad about not being able to play in front of his fans in China after arriving in the country, and remarked, “I apologise to all the Chinese fans, I know they are all sad, and so am I.”
Watch Cristiano Ronaldo apologises to fans here:
Fans storm into Al-Nassr team hotel
Minutes after receiving the saddening news of the postponement of AL-Nassr's China tour due to Cristiano Ronaldo's injury, fans stormed into the Saudi Pro League club's team hotel and chanted the Portugues star's name.
Watch fans chant Ronaldo's name here:
The fans emerged in huge numbers to express their displeasure with the 38-year-old's inability to play in China. Meanwhile, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will return to Saudi Arabia to prepare for their mouth-watering friendly clash against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami on February 1.
