Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo played through fatigue and suffered from stomach pains and vomiting during Al Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Al-Ettifaq on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old, who is set to feature in a record sixth World Cup in June, was substituted in the 89th minute of the game.
According to Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus, Ronaldo was suffering from illness during Al-Nassr’s clash with Al-Ettifaq. He said Ronaldo suffered from cramps and fatigue throughout the match, and threw up in the dressing room after being substituted.
“I was thinking of not including him; he wasn’t in good shape,” Jesus said. “He was suffering from stomach pains and a general feeling of fatigue. When I substituted him, he went straight to the dressing room and threw up.”
Despite feeling unwell, he played until the 89th minute of the match. He had 10 shots, five more than any other player, with three of them on target. Ronaldo also hit the post and had an effort cleared off the line.
Al-Nassr, who are eight points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League and eight points clear of Al Hilal, have now won 15 straight games in the competition.
Ronaldo’s shot led to Kingsley Coman’s goal, before the 41-year-old hit the woodwork.
“+3. Great energy from the stand,” He wrote on social media after the game.
Ronaldo has scored 24 goals as Al-Nassr, who are on their longest winning streak in the Saudi top-flight, sit eight points clear at the top of the table.
He is third in the Saudi Pro League scorers’ table, three goals behind English forward Ivan Toney of Al Ahli. The Portugal captain has finished as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League for the last two seasons.
