Sources have revealed that Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus has called up 24 players for Al-Nassr's match against Tajikistan's FC Istiklol Dushanbe next Tuesday, marking the team's opening match in the AFC Champions League at Al-Awwal Park.

The information clarified that Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo will not be included in the match list after a prior agreement with the coach to grant him a rest period, while goalkeeper Nawaf Al-Aqeedi continues to be absent due to a recent injury.

The list announced by Jesus includes several prominent names, most notably Brazilian Bento Matheus, Sultan Al-Ghanam, Nawaf Bushal, Abdul-Ilah Al-Amri, Mohamed Simakan, Martinez, Abdul Rahman Ghareeb, Ayman Yahya, and Senegalese Sadio Mane.

The list also includes Frenchman Coman, Croatian Brozovic, Ali Al-Hassan, Brazilian Angelo, in addition to forwards Mohamed Maran and Haroun Kamara, while goalkeeper Bento has been designated as the primary option to guard the net in the continental tournament.

The coaching staff plans to rely on the 26-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper after he was excluded from the matches against Al-Taawoun and Al-Khulood in the Roshan Saudi League, as the coach seeks to take advantage of the roster that allows the participation of eight foreign players.

Al-Nassr hopes to achieve a strong start in the Asian tournament, especially after its recent domestic victories, while Jesus bets on a mix of experience and young players to compensate for the absences of Ronaldo and Al-Aqeedi, and to enhance the team's continental ambitions.