<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a></strong>’s dream of finally lifting a major trophy with <strong>Al-Nassr</strong> has suddenly become far more complicated. Ahead of the <strong>AFC Champions League Two</strong> final against <strong>Gamba Osaka</strong>, the Saudi club has been rocked by a wave of absences, including Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, and several other key first-team stars.</p>



<p>The timing could hardly be worse for Jorge Jesus and his squad. Al-Nassr is preparing for one of the biggest nights in the club’s recent history, while <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/gamba-osaka/">Gamba Osaka</a> arrives in Riyadh sensing an opportunity to take advantage of the uncertainty surrounding the home side.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/afc-champions-league/">AFC Champions League Two</a> final represents far more than another cup match for Jorge Jesus and his players. The club has not won a major continental title since the late 1990s, and Ronaldo now stands just one game away from adding another international trophy to his legendary career.</p>



<p>The pressure around the match has intensified after <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr-2/">Al-Nassr</a>’s dramatic Saudi Pro League draw against Al-Hilal earlier in the week. Ronaldo and his teammates were seconds away from celebrating a potentially decisive victory before a late goalkeeping error changed the entire mood around the club.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="ملخص مباراة النصر 1-1 الهلال | دوري روشن السعودي 25/26 الجولة 32 AlNassr Vs AlHilal Highlights " width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IetvLBLHlV0?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<p>Despite that setback, the Riyadh outfit still remains in a strong position domestically. However, attention has now shifted completely toward Saturday’s continental showdown at Al Awwal Park.</p>



<h2>Injury crisis hits Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus</h2>



<p>What initially appeared to be minor concerns quickly turned into a major selection headache for Jorge Jesus. Reports from Saudi Arabia confirmed that&nbsp;<strong>Marcelo Brozovic, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/kingsley-coman/">Kingsley Coman</a>, Angelo Gabriel, Nawaf Al-Aqidi, and Abdulelah Al-Amri are all expected to miss the final due to injury problems.</strong></p>



<p>The injuries reportedly stem largely from the physically demanding Riyadh derby against Al-Hilal. Several players suffered muscle issues during the intense contest, forcing Al-Nassr’s medical staff into emergency recovery mode before the final.</p>



<p><em>According to the Saudi newspaper <strong>Arriyadiyah</strong>, Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, and Abdulelah Al Amri underwent MRI scans to determine the severity of their injuries.</em>&nbsp;The report added that&nbsp;<em>Portuguese club doctor Carlos Miguel ruled out the trio, along with Angelo Gabriel and goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi, because of the severity of their muscle injuries.</em></p>



<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="ar" dir="ltr">📰 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A%D8%A9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#مصادر_الرياضية</a>:<br><br>• 5 مصابين<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B5%D8%B1_%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%87%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#النصر_الهلال</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%8A_%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4%D9%86_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF%D9%8A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#دوري_روشن_السعودي</a> 🇸🇦<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RoshnSaudiLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RoshnSaudiLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/lGNjSu13va">https://t.co/lGNjSu13va</a> <a href="https://t.co/28M501ej9H">pic.twitter.com/28M501ej9H</a></p>— صحيفة الرياضية (@ariyadhiah) <a href="https://twitter.com/ariyadhiah/status/2054551242500661574?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2026</a></blockquote></div>



<p>That news has delivered a huge blow to Al-Nassr’s preparations. Brozovic has been one of the midfield leaders throughout the campaign, while Coman’s pace and creativity played a massive role during the knockout rounds.</p>



<p>Among the missing names, the Frenchman’s absence may hurt the most emotionally for the Knight of Nadj’s supporters. The French winger was sensational in the semi-final victory over the Qatari team Al-Ahli SC, producing a stunning hat-trick that pushed his team into the final. Without him, much more responsibility now falls on Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Joao Felix.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/22143222/Kingsley-Coman-1920x1080.webp" alt="Kingsley Coman of team Al-Nassr FC during a game." class="wp-image-637875"><figcaption>Kingsley Coman of team Al-Nassr FC during a game.</figcaption></figure>



<h2>Jorge Jesus searching for solutions</h2>



<p>The injury crisis has forced <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/jorge-jesus/">Jorge Jesus</a> into difficult decisions only days before the final. <strong><em>Arriyadiyah</em></strong> also suggests that the Portuguese manager is now considering rotating heavily and relying on younger or less experienced players to protect the remaining stars from further physical problems.</p>



<p><em>The report stated that the Portuguese manager is worried about fatigue, possible extra time, and the short turnaround before the final Saudi Pro League fixture against Damac.</em>&nbsp;Several reserve players have reportedly been prepared to start if needed, including Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdullah Al Hamdan, Ali Al Hassan, Sultan Al Ghannam, Saad Al Nasser, and Abdulrahman Ghareeb.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/04/06190044/abdullah-al-hamdan-al-nassr-1920x1080.webp" alt="Abdullah Al-Hamdan of Al Nassr celebrating." class="wp-image-634451"><figcaption>Abdullah Al-Hamdan of Al Nassr celebrating.</figcaption></figure>



<p>Even so, Al-Nassr supporters remain hopeful that Ronaldo can inspire one more unforgettable night. The atmosphere inside Al Awwal Park is expected to be electric as the club chases a continental crown that has eluded it for nearly three decades.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo’s AFC Champions League Two final hopes take huge hit as Al-Nassr loses Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, and three other key players for Gamba Osaka clash

Cristiano Ronaldo’s AFC Champions League Two final hopes take huge hit as Al-Nassr loses Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, and three other key players for Gamba Osaka clash - World Soccer Talk

main

<div><figure class="external-image"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/manchester-united-gamba-osaka.jpg" alt="manchester-united-gamba-osaka.jpg"></figure></div>
<p>Getting up at five o’clock this morning to watch a game on TV live from Japan reminded me of World Cup 2002. But this time, instead of watching England lose against Brazil in Japan, it was the turn of the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup featuring Manchester United against Gamba Osaka from Yokohama.</p>
<p>From the first few minutes, it was apparent that this was going to be a very open game, but who would have expected eight goals in a 5-3 win by Manchester United? While Manchester United’s first two goals were scored from headers by Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo, both connecting from corner kicks, the turning point in the game was when Wayne Rooney entered the game as a substitute for Carlos Tevez when the score was 2-0 to Manchester United.</p>
<p>Incredibly, the game came alive and five goals were scored within five minutes. Rooney scored within one minute with his first touch of the ball, and netted a goal later in the match. Darren Fletcher also scored just a few minutes after Rooney’s first goal.</p>
<p>The TV coverage and commentary from Fox Soccer Channel was well done with Max Bretos and Christopher Sullivan in fine form. While Max can be too over excited at times, Sullivan continues to impart golden nuggets of tactical insight throughout matches which I always appreciate.</p>
<p>Manchester United now plays Liga de Quito (from Ecuador) in the final on Sunday, December 21st with the kick-off at 5:30am ET on Fox Soccer Channel.</p>


Man United Advance to Club World Cup Final After 5-3 Win In Japan

Man United Advance to Club World Cup Final After 5-3 Win In Japan - World Soccer Talk

Latest news from Gamba Osaka. Find out about all the news related to Gamba Osaka on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Gamba Osaka"

News

Cristiano Ronaldo’s AFC Champions League Two final hopes take huge hit as Al-Nassr loses Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, and three other key players for Gamba Osaka clash

News

Man United Advance to Club World Cup Final After 5-3 Win In Japan