Virgil van Dijk could face an awkward reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo if interest from Al-Nassr materialises into a summer transfer.
The Saudi Pro League outfit are admirers of the Liverpool captain with the summer transfer window now open. And with the 32-year-old Dutchman now in the final year of his contract, Al-Nassr officials have already made their move for the commanding centre-half after meeting with Van Dijk's representatives earlier this week.
As outlined by Marca, Al-Nassr are willing to make Van Dijk the highest-paid defender in the world if he is willing to swap the Premier League for Saudi Arabia. If he does entertain Al-Nassr's interest, then Van Dijk would be reunited with some familiar faces in the Middle East.
One such player is Ronaldo, who became Al-Nassr's marquee signing back in 2022. However, things could be awkward between the two after the former Manchester United striker's sister launched a tirade at Van Dijk on Instagram back in 2019.
Van Dijk finished second behind Lionel Messi at the Ballon d'Or awards that year and the defender caused a stir with some light-hearted comments directed at Ronaldo, who didn't attend the actual ceremony. When a reporter suggested that his absence meant he had one less rival to worry about, Van Dijk quipped: “Was Cristiano really a rival?”.
Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, took exception to Van Dijk's comments and hit out at the Liverpool star on social media. She wrote: “I think there are people living completely frustrated!!! And unrealistic... such humility!
“Now, dear Virgil, where you are going, Cristiano Ronaldo has gone and has come a thousand times. You see, my dear Virgil, that Cristiano Ronaldo was a tri-champion in the country where you have been playing for years and you still haven’t got your hand on the trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo was even the best player and best scorer in the country where you play Virgil. By the way, he was even younger than you.
“Then, dear Virgil, Cristiano Ronaldo went to other places and became the greatest player in the history of a club, Real Madrid. Tell you something Virgil? Maybe so, because this club, with this Cristiano guy, even beat you in the Champions League final. Of these, Ronaldo already has 5, Virgil. And that fellow Ronaldo and team-mates, with the corners on his chest, crushed your 'orange' in a final (the 2019 Nations League final).
“Was it hard, Virgil? We have pity. And, dear Virgil, in one of the least successful times of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo has won even more titles than you. Awesome, isn’t it?
“Now Virgil will win titles from those who really count and then we’ll talk. When you have a handful of them, the really important ones, you might be able to sit at the table with Cristiano. Or as they say in our land, it grows and appears!”
Van Dijk would win his first Premier League title just months later with Liverpool and has since gone on to reaffirm his status as one of the world's top defenders. It remains to be seen if the defender will entertain interest from Al-Nassr, who are expected to spend big this summer after missing out on the Saudi Pro League title by some distance to Al-Hilal.
kadkpsz
438
But if they pay that much let him go and make money , he has nothing to prove bcoz he has done all what exceptional defenders in the modern era archived . He is a solid and dependable player so the sky can be the limit .
kadkpsz
343
Christiano Ronaldo is a proffessional so no beef between them , for the interests of the club he will welcome the durawall of the Dutch .
austinooo
323
When they can’t match your performance, they try to compensate with their words. Van dijk isnt even the top 3 best defender of the ronaldo messi era, ramos, puyol and thiago silva have been at the top for many years way before anyone even knew about van dijk.
Doesn't matter when he came out he's naturally by far better than all those people anyday anytime.
junior2501
289
highest paid in the world for the best in the world 🌍
Emi22
274
This is just pure madness... Ronaldo was not in contention for the Balloon dor that year and Virgil only just threw a slight dig, Ronaldo's needs a therapist. we all love and appreciate Ronaldo for all he has done no doubt. But his sister needs a litch.
If you call that a light dig, then all good. However, its a known fact that he does not like cr7 and that statement was absolute disrespect.
mokabdlost
172
This is just pure madness... Ronaldo was not in contention for the Balloon dor that year and Virgil only just threw a slight dig, Ronaldo's needs a therapist. we all love and appreciate Ronaldo for all he has done no doubt. But his sister needs a litch.
Imagine just throwing a sly dig at someone who is arguably the greatest player on the planet in 2019 when you yourself are just becoming top class and winning your first league title?? Normal right?? The disrespect people give to Ronaldo is just insane Zidane, R9, Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Henry, and all those greats who are not even close to Cristiano don’t get this kind of treatment. Do you think he’d would have said that useless remark if it was someone like Robben or Van Persie who are legends from Netherlands?? People get a little fame and it gets into their heads and they forget their place. Van Dijk isn’t even on Rio Ferdinand’s level or John Terry to be even considered one of the best in history when we’ve seen Maldini, Cannavaro, Cafu and the rest👍
mbiaks
127
PLS let's name brainless fans, tip top tip.....Messi fans.
Caubelrstu
66
He is the worst defender
The best one are you blind
putimopruy
72
One of the greatest problems of cr5 is that his sister, who always come out to rant and cause issues. It is a man I know that defend and fight for a woman but here it is a man who is hiding under the skirt of woman for protection. That is why Messi will always be a better leader and role model, because he is a real man, real man fight for a woman and not the other way round, Messi looks more mentally tougher than Cr5 in every sense. Anyway we understand that cr5 always uses his sister account to troll people, just too bad, only a coward does that
Viburnum
19
The comments from ronaldo's sister sounds just like all his other brainless fans 😂
Evans0323
12
It’s like Ronaldo Families have the same character
Renilmop
9
what i know is that messi fans are brainless