Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for Al-Nassr last week.
Cristiano Ronaldo is making life difficult for his Al-Nassr teammates, according to Luiz Gustavo. The Portugal international headed to Saudi Arabia in January after having his contract at Manchester United terminated.
Despite being widely recognised as one of the greatest players to ever grace a football pitch, Ronaldo has struggled to take to life in the Saudi Pro League. The forward has cut a frustrated figure and missed several key chances, scoring once in three competitive appearances.
After penning a lucrative two-year deal in the Middle East, many expected Ronaldo to thrive in a lesser-quality league and break numerous goalscoring records. Though it appears that it will take the 38-year-old time to adjust to playing in a new league.
Though Ronaldo can take confidence from Al-Nassr team-mate Gustavo revealing that their opponents have improved this season as they are keen to impress the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – much to their annoyance. He told RT Arabic: “The presence of Cristiano Ronaldo gives his rivals more incentive to beat the league leaders.
Cristiano Ronaldo making life ‘difficult’ for Al-Nassr team-mates after contract U-turn (Image: Getty)
“Cristiano motivates everyone. His presence guarantees a great advantage to our group because we learn from him every day, given the great technical and physical qualities he possesses. Cristiano Ronaldo was created for challenges, and he always succeeds. He’s already scored his first goal, and so he’s taken the pressure off.”
Ronaldo opened his account with Al-Nassr in their 2-2 draw with Al Fateh FC, though the draw meant that they were unable to pull clear of second-placed Al Shabab in the league. Both sides are level on points, with Al-Nassr top only on goal difference. Prior to Ronaldo’s arrival, the table-toppers were in flying form and manager Rudi Garcia has suggested that the former Juventus star is having a detrimental effect on performances.
Speaking after the draw, he explained: “It is very important that the players play normally and don’t always try to give Cristiano the ball. I told them they had to make the right decisions on the pitch. Obviously, when Cristiano or Anderson Talisca are alone and ask for the ball, we have to give them the ball.
Luiz Gustavo has shed a light on Ronaldo’s arrival (Image: Getty)
“These two players are capable of making a difference. We have to work on it, have one of them in the area and maybe the other will play outside the area.”
Garcia also recently revealed that he expects Ronaldo to return to Europe rather than retire with Al-Nassr, despite the forward saying that his time in the continent was ‘over’. He explained: “He is one of the best players in the world. He will not finish his career at Al-Nassr, he will return to Europe.”
That followed Ronaldo saying: “My work in Europe is done. I played at the best clubs in the world… and I won everything. I’m happy, proud to join Al Nassr.
“I had many offers in Europe, many in Brazil, Australia, the US, even in Portugal. I gave my word to this club; only to Al Nassr.”
Bayern president insists club won’t follow Man Utd’s Ronaldo stance by terminating Neuer’s contract after bombshell interviews
Bayern Munich’s president has insisted they will not terminate Manuel Neuer’s contract despite him speaking against the club in external interviews.
WHAT HAPPENED? Herbert Hainer, president of Bayern Munich, has spoken out on Neuer’s decision to give interviews where he criticised the club and played down the idea that the goalkeeper could depart as a result of his actions.
WHAT THEY SAID: “No, not at all,” Hainer told BR24 Sport, when asked if Bayern would terminate Neuer’s contract like United did with Cristiano Ronaldo after his own bombshell interview before the World Cup “That’s why we are FC Bayern Munich. At FC Bayern Munich we will always clarify such things internally. Such things make FC Bayern strong and special,” he added.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Neuer – who serves as Bayern’s club captain – has been vocal in his criticisms of the club in recent times, giving interviews to The Athletic and German outlet Suddeutsche Zeitung where he discussed the dismissal of goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic, who he maintains a close relationship with.
He also discussed the recent injury he sustained while on a holiday away from his club duties, breaking his leg and forcing Bayern to act quickly and snap up Yann Sommer in the January transfer window. Neuer has already been criticised by sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
Ronaldo saw his contract terminated at United via mutual consent ahead of the World Cup after dropping an unauthorised interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised the running of the club, current manager Erik ten Hag and discussed its goings on.
Getty Images
WHAT NEXT FOR NEUER? The German stopper has to watch the rest of the 2022-23 season from the sidelines while Sommer takes his place between the sticks, as he continues to recover from a broken leg.
Source: express.co.uk; goal.com
