Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on his first official trophy with Al Nassr, as the club currently sits atop the Saudi Pro League standings with 73 points. In the heat of this title pursuit, the team has recovered a defensive pillar: Spanish center-back Iñigo Martinez is back training with the main group.
Martinez had been sidelined since suffering a hamstring tear prior to the March FIFA window. The injury forced him to miss the 5-2 victory over Al Najma—where Ronaldo scored a brace—as well as the recent 2-0 win against Al Akhdoud.
Saudi outlet Arriyadiyah reports that Martinez is fit and available for the upcoming Saudi Pro League clash against Al Ettifaq on Wednesday, April 15. His inclusion in the starting lineup now rests in the hands of manager Jorge Jesus.
Martinez’s vital role in Jesus’ system
The former Barcelona defender is a non-negotiable starter in Jorge Jesus’ tactical setup. Of Martinez’s 36 appearances across all competitions this season, he has started 35 and has been substituted only four times.
Iñigo Martinez celebrates a goal for Al Nassr. (Getty Images)
Following the high-scoring win against Al Najma, the Portuguese manager explicitly noted that the team missed Martinez’s presence. “We were not good defensively today, especially at the back line. We missed Martinez, and that affected our defensive balance,” Jesus stated in the post-match press conference.
Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al Nassr to a historic Saudi Pro League mark after win vs Al Akhdoud
Ronaldo focused on recovery
In other team news, the same Saudi reports indicated that Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the starters from the Al Akhdoud victory participated in recovery sessions ahead of tomorrow’s match against Al Ettifaq.
Jesus is reportedly managing Ronaldo’s workload carefully. Since returning from his own recent injury, the Portuguese captain has featured in two matches, scoring three goals, but was substituted late in both games to preserve his fitness for the final stretch of the season.
