Ronaldo misses Al-Nassr's debut in Asia's new Elite tournament with virus

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr's debut in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday after being laid low by a stomach bug.

The 38-year-old was left out of the squad for the Saudi Arabian club's first match in Asia's elite club competition, a 1-0 defeat at home to Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor.

It is the latest setback for Ronaldo since joining Al-Nassr on a reported two-and-a-half-year contract worth more than $200 million per year.

The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward missed his new club's last two matches with a muscle injury.

Al-Nassr's next match in the Asian Champions League is away to Qatari club Al-Duhail on February 7.

Ronaldo is expected to make his Asian Champions League debut in that match, which will be played at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha.

Al-Nassr is hoping to win the Asian Champions League for the first time in its history.

The Saudi Arabian club has never won a continental trophy before.

Al-Nassr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, with nine league titles and six King's Cups.

The club is also the current Saudi Pro League champion.

Ronaldo's absence was a blow to Al-Nassr in its Asian Champions League debut.

The Portuguese forward is the club's star player and is expected to lead the team's challenge for the title.

Ronaldo is one of the most decorated players in the history of the game.

He has won five Ballon d'Or awards and has led Portugal to victory at the European Championship and the UEFA Nations League.

Al-Nassr will be hoping that Ronaldo can recover from his illness in time for the club's next Asian Champions League match.

The Saudi Arabian club will need to win that match if it wants to keep its hopes of winning the title alive.