Ronaldo’s new manager admits: I wanted to sign Messi!

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 6 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to begin a new adventure in his career after joining Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, but life in the Middle East has gotten off to a rocky start, with new manager Rudi Garcia joking that he wanted to sign Lionel Messi first.

Ronaldo and Messi have been fierce rivals at the top of world football for 15 years, and though that era is now winding down with the Portugal legend dropping out of Europe’s Big 5 leagues, the pair will inevitably be compared to one another long after they have retired.

Debates over who is the greater inevitably draw attraction on social media, with each player having a committed fanbase, yet it is Messi’s supporters who have had more to gloat over in the last six months.

MORE: How much does Cristiano Ronaldo earn and what is the football legend’s net worth?

Not only has Ronaldo struggled to such an extent at Manchester United that he literally talked his way out of the club, but the Argentina ace fired his international side to World Cup glory in Qatar.

Now Ronaldo’s new boss has joked that he would have preferred to sign the 35-year-old ahead of Real Madrid’s record scorer.

Speaking to the media, Garcia referenced the PSG striker’s exploits in Qatar as he said: “I wanted to bring Messi from Doha.”

— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) January 2, 2023

MORE: Who are Al-Nassr? Everything you need to know about Ronaldo’s new club

Ronaldo may not see the funny side

Although the comment was made in a light-hearted nature, it is doubtful that Ronaldo will see the funny side. The Portuguese is a player who can be tempestuous and left Man Utd after a fall out with manager Erik ten Hag. Despite the money on offer, a move to Al-Nassr was not the striker's priority, with a return to Real Madrid his desired transfer.

This is the type of comment that is liable to draw offence given the period he is going through.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, is still some time away from making his Al-Nassr debut as he still has a two-match domestic ban to serve following his time with Manchester United.