Cristiano Ronaldo facing 'legal challenge' obstacle as football icon looks to conquer Asia
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are facing an issue ahead of the Asian Champions League
REUTERS
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are facing a 'legal challenge' as they look to win the Asian Champions League this year.
The Portugal international will be key to his side's hopes of glory in the competition.
According to the Daily Mail, however, Al-Nassr are facing an issue due to other teams taking part in the tournament.
It's claimed that, because the team are one of four clubs owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, other Asian countries are taking legal advice.
They are doing this because they believe there to be a 'clear violation' of both the AFC and FIFA rules on ownership.
While the Champions League commences on Monday, Al-Nassr are scheduled to play on Tuesday.
Ronaldo's team will go up against Persepolis - and will be hoping to continue their fine form having won their last five matches across all competitions.
Al-Nassr started the new league season badly with defeats to Al-Ettifaq and Al-Taawoun.
Since then, however, they've responded with victories over Shabab Al-Ahli, Al Fateh, Al-Shebab, Al-Hazm and Al-Raed.
Many wrote Ronaldo off as a faded force after the veteran left Manchester United by mutual consent last winter.
Yet the 38-year-old has continued to produce the goods ever since touching down in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo scored 14 goals from 16 Saudi Pro League matches last term, clocking up two assists along the way.
And he's continued his electric form this season, netting seven goals from five matches.
Ronaldo, along with long-time rival Lionel Messi, is no longer playing in Europe.
And this year's European Champions League will be the first time in over two decades since both players weren't taking part in the tournament.
Meanwhile, former United coach Mike Phelan was recently asked about Ronaldo's mixed second stint at Old Trafford.
And Phelan praised the veteran while also admitting his demand for high standards sometimes alienated him in Manchester.
"The second time round, he came in a lot older and a lot more opinionated, strong-willed," the former Red Devils No 2 said.
"He still had massively high standards and was terrific to work with.
"But I'd probably say a tougher mindset. He had been at Man Utd, he had been Portugal's ever-present, he had been at Madrid.
"I liked it because he didn't want his standards to drop, he wanted other people's standards to come up.
"And sometimes you lose a few people along the way when that happens.
"I remember certain times when he pushed and pushed hard, and he didn't get much reaction or much response. And there was frustration.
"When you deal with top, top people, it's about them and where they can finish and where they can get to. They want to look back and go 'wow, that was successful'.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has dazzled for Al-Nassr since his move from Man Utd at the tail end of last year
PA
"And he probably realised, and I don't know as I never had that conversation with him, that he couldn't do it at Manchester United. So his challenges were elsewhere.
"He's still playing international football, yes he's in Saudi Arabia, but he's still playing and scoring goals.
"He is doing all the things we knew he could do at Manchester United.
"But a really good personality, hard-working and challenging. He challenged me as a coach, Carlos Queiroz as a coach and Sir Alex [Ferguson] as a manager.
"But that's good because it takes you to another level."
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