Cristiano Ronaldo Gets Ready for Asian Champions League before his 40th Birthday

Cristiano Ronaldo turns 40 on Wednesday, but he shows no signs of slowing down as he prepares to lead Saudi club Al-Nassr against Al-Wasl in the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite.

With 15 goals in 17 games since joining the Riyadh club in December 2022, the Portuguese star is currently leading the Saudi Pro League scoring charts.

Al-Nassr has a chance to win the Asian title for the first time if Ronaldo can replicate that performance in the continental tournament, where his team has already qualified with two games left in the group stage.

Al-Nassr's acquisition of Jhon Duran from English Premier League team Aston Villa for an estimated $79 million last week has increased Ronaldo's chances of winning his first Asian championship after he won the UEFA Champions League five times with Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Duran has already been registered in time to play against UAE team Al-Wasl, according to Saudi Arabian reports.

Pioli said Duran is in good shape. We'll decide how to best use him.

Al-Nassr is third in the 12-team group, trailing Saudi rivals Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, who are both undefeated after six games.

Al-Hilal has four continental championships, more than any other Asian club. The Blues have lost Neymar ahead of their match against Iranian club Persepolis. Brazil's all-time leading scorer returned to South America last week after making only seven appearances for Al-Hilal in 18 months due to injuries.

Coach Jorge Jesus said, "We are looking forward to the game." Our goal is always to win at home and in Asia.

Al-Ahli, which includes former English Premier League players such as Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney, has the offensive strength to win the Champions League for the first time. The second-placed Jeddah club will travel to Qatar to face Al-Sadd.

All 12 teams in the western zone are divided into two geographic halves until the quarterfinals, when they will compete for a spot in the top eight and advance to the knockout stage.