Ange Postecoglou Defends Cristiano Ronaldo After Al-Nassr's Defeat

Ange Postecoglou went on the front foot for his captain, launching a fierce defence of Cristiano Ronaldo after Al-Nassr were thrashed 4-0 by Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates.

The Saudi Pro League champions opened their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a nightmare. A side that had started the season strongly were ripped apart, and the result dragged them straight back down to earth.

Ronaldo, with three goals in six matches this season, never really got going. He cut a frustrated figure, struggled to influence the game and quickly became the lightning rod for criticism once the final whistle went.

The tension spilled into the press room. According to English newspaper the Daily Mail, a Saudi reporter directly questioned whether Ronaldo’s presence in the starting XI was now holding Al-Nassr back. The journalist suggested that while the 39-year-old was not a complete burden, the legendary forward “does not benefit the team”.

Postecoglou bristled.

“Cristiano has already scored three goals. His preparation period was limited,” he snapped back. “It is not about the players. The players are giving their all and they are top-class players with wonderful character.”

He refused to let the focus linger on his captain.

“The responsibility falls on me, but you should not say that about someone who is still a role model for everyone,” he continued, drawing a clear line around Ronaldo.

The Australian coach then widened his defence, turning the question into a point about respect and legacy.

“You have to be careful when you say things like this about people who have built their career on making every sacrifice to keep playing,” he said. “You can criticise me, no problem.”

The reporter did not back down. He doubled down instead, insisting Ronaldo had not done “anything” during the match.

That was the final straw.

“He did not do anything? You are watching a different match to me,” Postecoglou fired back, ending the exchange with a blunt rebuke.

A bruising night on the pitch ended with an equally sharp confrontation off it – and made one thing clear: as the scrutiny grows, Postecoglou is not about to let anyone single out his captain without a fight.