Cristiano Ronaldo has apologised after suffering an injury which forced Al-Nassr to postpone their tour of China, which is claimed to have led to angry fans storming inside the club’s hotel to express their disappointment.
The Saudi Pro League side have been training in the city of Shenzhen ahead of their upcoming games with Shanghai Shenua on Wednesday, followed by another friendly with Zhejiang on January 28.
Unsurprisingly, Ronaldo was the star attraction of the tour, with Chinese fans relishing the rare opportunity to see one of the greatest players of all time up close in person.
However, Ronaldo has suffered a muscle injury that has ruled him out of the games, and has led to Al-Nassr postponing the tour.
Video footage on social media though has appeared to show that the news didn’t go down well with Chinese fans hoping to see their hero.
Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered a muscle injury that ruled him out of Al-Nassr’s upcoming games in China.
Ronaldo’s club Al-Nassr have decided to postpone the tour as a result of his injury.
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Chinese fans have STORMED the Al Nassr hotel in large numbers expressing their disappointment over Cristiano Ronaldo's inability to participate in the friendly.
pic.twitter.com/axxGv7povO— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) January 23, 2024
The video shows a number of people storming into a building, which is claimed to be Chinese fans going into Al-Nassr’s hotel to ‘express their disappointment over Ronaldo’s inability to participate in the friendly’.
Another video shows fans outside the hotel chanting Ronaldo’s name repeatedly.
Ronaldo, as per talkSPORT, issued a public apology over his injury leading to the cancellation of the tour.
He said: ‘As you know, in football some things you cannot control. I have played 22 years in football and I am a player that doesn’t have too many injuries.
‘So I’m really sad because Al Nassr and myself have come to China to enjoy the tour. I have been coming to China since 2003/2004, so I feel at home here – my second home.
‘I felt that I am always special here. I feel sad. I know you are sad too, especially the people who love Cristiano, but we have to see this in a good way. We have not cancelled the game, we want to push for the game and be back here. We will be back.
‘Unfortunately, I have some problems, but this is part of football and my life. I’m here, I’m with the fans, I’m with the Chinese people and we are going to continue here. We can see outside the people that are with us.
‘We are sad because we knew this could happen. We will be back to make the Chinese people happy, this is my goal. I want to play for you. Don’t be sad because I am sad and I hope you understand the circumstances of a football player.’
Al-Nassr said the postponed games were ‘beyond their control’ but are willing to complete their training camp in the city of Shenzhen, before returning at a later date to play a match when Ronaldo is back available.
Al-Nassr have been forced into a decision with Ronaldo being the star attraction of their tour to China.
A video on social media is claimed to show fans storming into Al-Nassr’s hotel to display their frustrations over the news.
الجماهير الصينية تهتم بـ أسم الأسطورة كريستيانو بعد اقتحامهم الفندق ! pic.twitter.com/mr5xkfDzSf
— عالم القوت (@GOATTWORLD) January 23, 2024
Al-Nassr will hope to have him back for their game with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami on February 1.
Their statement read: ‘We are sad to announce that, unfortunately , and for reasons beyond Al-Nassr’s control, the event comprised of two matches scheduled on the 24th and 28th January have been postponed to a date to be defined.
‘We came here in Shenzhen with a lot of respect for Chinese football fans and specifically for the fans of Ronaldo.
‘Taking this into consideration, in addition to the tight relationship between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China, we, Al-Nassr, are willing to complete our training camp as planned in Shenzhen, a city that has warmly welcomed us and shown so much love for us and our Captain.
‘Furthermore we have agreed with the organiser and the promoter to schedule a new match the soonest.’
Al-Nassr will be hoping that Ronaldo returns soon, with the club playing another money-making friendly on February 1 – when the Portuguese superstar might go up against his old rival Lionel Messi.
They then face Al-Hilal a week later before returning to competitive action in the AFC Champions League against Al Feiha on February 14.
