Stop the press. Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing in India very, very soon. In the early hours of Wednesday, August 23, Al-Nassr FC overcame Dubai-based Shabab Al Ahli 4-2 in the AFC Champions League playoff thanks to three late goals. Al-Nassr has now clinched their participation in the AFC Champions League for 2023–24 as a result of their triumph. They will be paired with UAE’s Al Ain FC, the defending champions, in Pot 4 of the West Zone.
The Saudi giants found themselves behind after an early goal from Anderson Talisca and a brace from Yahya Al Ghassani. However, Sultan bin Abdullah’s goal in the 88th minute gave the Cristiano Ronaldo-led team a point back, and two fast goals from Marcelo Brozovic and Talisca in the last minutes completed the exciting comeback.
Cristiano Ronaldo playing in India?
Does Cristiano Ronaldo and company have a chance to play Mumbai City FC, the lone Indian team in the Champions League? Indeed, given that the Islanders are in Pot 3 in the West Zone, they stand a good chance of getting drawn into the same group.
Mumbai City defeated Jamshedpur FC, the previous Shield champions, 3-1 in a qualifier in May. Des Buckingham’s team, the defending ISL Shield winners, secured a spot in the elite continental league.
The Islanders have been dominating the Durand Cup since the beginning of the new season. But the Saudi Pro League team may prove to be too much of a challenge for them.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr FC most recently were crowned victors of the Arab Club Champions Cup. They defeated Neymar’s new club Al Hilal. They weren’t at their shining best against Shabab Al Ahli but they fought their way to a victory in that clash.
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Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, Mumbai City in AFC Champions League group stage draw
How is the AFC Champions League 23/24 draw taking place?
The AFC House in Kuala Lumpur will host the AFC Champions League 2023–24 Group Stage draw on August 24 at 4:00 PM IST. The period of September 2023 through May 2024 will see the main continental club competition.
Ten groups of four will be formed from the 40 qualified teams. Teams from the West Zone will be placed in Groups A through E according to the draw, while participants from the East Zone will be placed in Groups F through J.
Could Mumbai City face Benzema or Neymar?
Mumbai City FC is the only Indian team at the AFC Champions League 2023/24. The club announced earlier this week that they would play their home games in Pune for their second entry into the competition. This is because the Mumbai Football Arena is not permitted to hold AFC Champions League matches.
It’s true that Mumbai City might face Al Ittihad, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, and Neymar’s Al Hilal in the group stage. Mumbai City actually has a forty percent probability of being drawn to play either Al Ittihad or Al Hilal.
Mumbai won’t play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr if they draw one of the Saudi Arabian clubs from Pot 1. This is because only one team from each nation may be drawn into each group.
