In anticipation of the crucial Round of 16 clash in the AFC Champions League Two, the Saudi club Al-Nassr held an official press conference at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat.
The meeting with journalists took place amid growing excitement for the match, which is set to become a historic event for Turkmen football.
Head coach of Al-Nassr Jorge Jesus and the team’s Brazilian goalkeeper Bento Matheus answered questions from the media.
“We are very happy that Al-Nassr will represent Saudi football here tomorrow. We are sure that tomorrow will be a difficult match, but we are ready for the game,” stated Jorge Jesus.
Particular attention at the press conference was given to the absence of several key first-team players. Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as João Félix, Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, Marcelo Brozović, Iñigo Martínez and Gabriel Angelo, did not travel to Turkmenistan.
This decision is related to the need to preserve the strength of the team’s major players ahead of upcoming matches in the Saudi national championship. On February 14, Al-Nassr faces a key fixture against Al-Fateh in the Saudi Pro League.
“Cristiano Ronaldo did not come because we want to protect him and several other of our players for upcoming competitions,” Jorge Jesus explained.
At the same time, the Saudi club approached the game with utmost seriousness. As stated, “Arkadag is a very young club. But we have studied their technique, their style of play — how they defend and how they attack.”
The match Arkadag – Al-Nassr will take place on February 11 at the Olympic Stadium in Ashgabat and will kick off at 18:45 local time. The return leg is scheduled for February 18 in Riyadh. The tie is part of the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two, and for the Turkmen champion this represents a major opportunity to prove themselves on the continental stage against one of Asia’s most decorated clubs.
Football fever has already gripped Ashgabat: fan zones have been set up in major shopping centers, and supporters are eagerly awaiting the opening whistle. ///nCa, 11 February 2026