Cristiano Ronaldo appears destined to move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr following his release from Manchester United.
Reports in Spain suggest that Ronaldo has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Al-Nassr that is worth a total of €500 million and will keep him contracted to the club until the summer of 2025, by which time he will be passed his 40th birthday.
It may well be that this is Ronaldo’s final club, but they are a relatively unknown entity – so just who are they?
MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo agrees €500m deal with Al-Nassr
How good are Al-Nassr?
Al-Nassr play in the Saudi Pro League, which they have won nine times in the past. Their most recent title success was in the 2018/19 season. Last time out, they finished third in the 16-team league.
They were formed in 1955, play at the 25,000 capacity Mrsool Park and wear yellow and blue as their home colours.
MORE: Best Saudi Arabian football players
The current Pro League season is only eight games old, with the season consisting of 30 matches. Presently, Al-Nassr lie second in the standings behind only Al-Shabab, who are three points clear. It will be hoped that Ronaldo can help tip the title fight in their favour.
Meanwhile, the Riyadh-based club have experienced continental glory in the past, having won the Asian Cup Winners’ Cup in 1997/98. They have never won the AFC Champions League but did finish as runners-up in the competition in 1995.
This is, therefore, a club that is not in a golden era.
Who are Al-Nassr’s best players?
Al-Nassr’s most famous current player is Colombia international goalkeeper David Ospina, who once turned out for Arsenal.
In addition, they have Cameroon international forward Vincent Aboubakar on their books and striker Anderson Talisca, who formerly played with Benfica and Besiktas.
Six Al-Nassr players are in Saudi Arabia’s 2022 World Cup squad.
Who is Al-Nassr’s manager?
Al-Nassr’s manager is Rudi Garcia, who was on a shortlist of coaches to become Manchester United interim boss last season after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked. Ralf Rangnick was selected instead, with the German never getting on with Ronaldo.
Garcia, meanwhile, is best known for his club management in France, where he coached Lille to the Ligue 1 title in 2012. Since then, he has also coached Roma, Marseille and Lyon to a modest degree of success.
Just how long Garcia is in the post for will be questionable. He is Al-Nassr’s sixth coach since 2020. They have had 42 permanent mangers (plus two interims) since 2000.
kidp
0
Ronaldo fans say this is fake but the man city rumors were true 🙄
Bro he is fully focused how can he agree
nokckrtuz
1
Ronaldo convert islam mark my words
veecmpsuz
0
Ronaldo fans say this is fake but the man city rumors were true 🙄
Ezenko1
4
And some brainless fans and haters think this news is true? Name one player that makes or enter a new contract while world cup is going on? Everyone has halt their new contract agreements and finding new club and you think CR7 will do it when he has a point to prove this world cup? Remember Marca or some news paper confirmed messi is going to new York and messi camp later denied it? As messi can't even renew with PSG until after the world cup and you think CR7 will do so. It's like this media arrived you people's brain and keep under the toilet for you to jump into conclusions without thinking.
Piuabcoty
0
wonderfu
Jaybee9
1
Fake news
J0yNg
3
Now the asheep unning to Saudi League#29. 🐑💪❤️
Kkrexuke
1
Seems to imply Ronaldo drop a bombshell on utd to get out of the club so that he can get a big fat paycheck... everyone thought he was looking for a UCL club...[Crylaugh] it is all about the money
Sakib9094
4
It will a disgrace for Football if he actually goes to that clubm