After an enthralling league stage in the inaugural campaign of the AFC Champions League Elite, it is time for the knockout round. The marathon battle to win Asia's premier club competition has been whittled down to 16 contenders,

Chinese tournament organiser Hero Esports has announced the addition of a VALORANT tournament to its inaugural Asian Champions League (ACL).

Amid growing speculation on social media about Cristiano Ronaldo's presence in Iran for Al Nassr's AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal, head coach Stefano Pioli addressed whether the Portuguese star will be available for the match.

The truth behind Cristiano Ronaldo's absence from Al-Nassr's squad for their upcoming AFC Champions League clash has emerged amid false claims about an incident that happened in 2023. Al Nassr will face Iranian side Esteghlal in the last 16 of the Asian Champions League on Monday, just three days falling to a 2-1 defeat against Al Orobah.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr travel to Iran in the Asian Champions League next week with his side one of three from Saudi Arabia in the last 16 of the region's top club competition. Saudi teams dominated the tournament's West zone league stage, with four-time Asian champions Al Hilal leading Al Ahli and Al Nassr in the top three in the final table.

Al Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of the matchday squad for their AFC Champions League clash against Esteghlal. Ronaldo did not travel to Tehran with the rest of his teammates for the first leg of the last-16 tie.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not travelled to Tehran with the Al-Nassr squad after the Portugal icon was left out of their matchday squad that will face Esteghlal in the first leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 fixture.