Ronaldo wants ‘Real Madrid model’ after latest heartbreak

Robin Bairner

• 3 Jun 2024 06:33 BST
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo wants to take the ‘Real Madrid model’ with him to Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League and is working hard to persuade former teammates to join him in the Middle East – starting with Manchester United star Casemiro.

Ronaldo moved from Man Utd to Al-Nassr 18 months ago, and while the deal has been wildly successful from a personal point of view as he has scored prolifically, silverware has not followed.

At the weekend, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was left in tears as his side were defeated on penalties by Al-Hilal in the Saudi Cup.

READ MORE: The top five Ballon d'Or contenders for 2024

STATS

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (CL), AM (L)

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo

F (CL), AM (L)

Al-Nassr

Pro League

2023/24

• 31

  Games

• 35

  Goals

• 11

  Assists

View all stats

A serial winner, Ronaldo is said to ne ‘not handling the situation well’.

As such, he is gaining more influence at Al-Nassr and has reached out to former Real Madrid teammates to help give the club the winning mentality of its superstar, according to Marca.

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Ronaldo wants Casemiro and Nacho at Al-Nassr

Man Utd’s Casemiro is one of the players he has spoken to. The Brazil international midfielder is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, and Al-Nassr could pay the type of fee that would be a dream for the Red Devils for the veteran central midfielder, who has struggled this season.

A move to Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, would be attractive for Casemiro given he is close friends with Ronaldo, while he would be lavishly paid for his work.

In addition, ‘CR7’ has asked Nacho Fernandez, who captained Real Madrid to Champions League glory at the weekend, to join him in Riyadh.

The 34-year-old has reached the end of his contract at the Bernabeu and is expected to leave the club in the summer. There is uncertainty as to what his future holds given that he has been with Los Blancos for the duration of his career.

Although there is no guarantee that Casemiro or Nacho move to the Saudi Pro League, what is certain is that Ronaldo will expect a more competitive team next season.