Ronaldo negotiating for Real Madrid legend to join Al-Nassr

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 14 Apr 2023 08:44 BST
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to be reunited with Zinedine Zidane at Al-Nassr and is negotiating for the arrival of the legendary Real Madrid coach.

Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League side are looking for a new boss following the sacking of Rudi Garcia, who was officially dismissed on Thursday after reports had broken previously that he would depart.

Sporting results were only part of the reason that Al-Nassr decided to take a change of direction, with reports suggesting that Garcia’s relationship with the dressing room was broken. There were hints, too, that his relationship with Ronaldo was a complicated one, although the five-time Ballon d’Or winner did take to Instagram to wish him well for the future.

MORE: Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr: Goals, assists, results & fixtures

Nevertheless, when Ronaldo’s deal with Al-Nassr was struck, it was claimed that he would have the power to hire and fire coaches.

Now he is ready to exert that control once again.

MORE: Ronaldo reunion? Mourinho offered €100m Al-Nassr deal

Ronaldo stepping up in Zidane talks

According to CBS, Ronaldo has demanded that the Frenchman is replaced by one of two heavyweight managers.

Roma boss Jose Mourinho is one of the figures that Ronaldo would like to take charge of the side, but he has also instructed Zinedine Zidane to be considered.

Indeed, it is even stated that Real Madrid’s record scorer is personally involved in negotiations with his former coach in the Spanish capital. CBS reports that a verbal offer has already been made to Zidane, with Ronaldo taking part in discussions.

Zidane, meanwhile, is presently out of work. He had been broadly expected to take over the France job from Didier Deschamps following the 2022 World Cup, yet the head coach of Les Bleus signed a contract extension and that role is off the table for the next couple of years unless there is a dramatic turn of events.

The double goal scorer in the 1998 World Cup final, though, has been picky over what roles he takes and there are no guarantees that Ronaldo will be able to persuade him to join Al-Nassr.