Hong Kong Football Association (HKFA) president Pui Kwan-kay assured that Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to compete in the upcoming Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong next month, provided he does not sustain any unforeseen injuries.
Speaking on a radio program on Tuesday, the HKFA president acknowledged the concerns expressed by fans regarding player participation. He clarified that the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) holds the responsibility to ensure that participating teams in the Saudi Super Cup field their strongest lineups, barring any injuries.
Pui believed that Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr, will be accompanying his teammates to Hong Kong unless he experiences a sudden injury.
In light of Al-Hilal's withdrawal from the Saudi Super Cup, citing insufficient rest for players following the Club World Cup, Pui conveyed his understanding of the situation and noted that each football association adheres to its own set of regulations.
He described the Club World Cup as a demanding tournament that can lead to player fatigue and also results in lack of sufficient off-season breaks if the team were to participate in the Saudi Super Cup.
Furthermore, Pui said that this will be the inaugural hosting of the Saudi Super Cup in Hong Kong -- which has previously taken place in Abu Dhabi and London -- and the event aims to foster cultural, sporting, and tourism exchanges through the medium of football.
(Nathan Leung)
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