Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo has issued a public apology after Al Nassr were forced to cancel matches in China.
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The Saudi Arabia-based giants were scheduled to take on Zhejiang and Shanghai Shenhua in friendly matches in the coming days, but have had to postpone the games after Ronaldo recently picked up a muscular injury.
This is according to Goal, who report that the fixtures will be rescheduled for later dates.
Ronaldo, who will be 39 years old next month, is expected to be unavailable for two weeks, leaving him doubtful for Al Nassr's upcoming Riyadh Cup encounter against a Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami.
Writing a message to his significant fanbase in China, where thousands of his loyal supporters were gearing up to see him play live, Ronaldo insisted he would be back.
"As you know, in football some things you cannot control. I have played 22 years in football and I am a player that doesn't have too many injuries," he said, according to The News.
"So, I'm really sad because Al Nassr and myself have come to China to enjoy the tour. I have been coming to China since 2003/04, so I feel at home here – my second home.
"I felt that I am always special here. I feel sad. I know you are sad too, especially the people who love Cristiano, but we have to see this in a good way. We have not cancelled the game, we want to push for the game and be back here.
"We will be back. Unfortunately, I have some problem, but this is part of football and my life. I'm here, I'm with the fans, I'm with the Chinese people and we are going to continue here."
"We can see outside the people that are with us. We are sad because we knew this could happen. We will be back to make the Chinese people happy, this is my goal. I want to play for you. Don't be sad because I am sad and I hope you understand the circumstances of a football player."
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Al Nassr are set to go up against Inter Miami on 1 February.
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