Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr have not had the season they had set as a goal. Not even close. No titles and, above all, no place in the next Asian Champions League. The absence of achievements has unleashed an earthquake at the club and when that happens in a Saudi entity, changes come throughout the structure and affects the field, bench and the upper echelons. Meanwhile, the striker has received a proposal from Brazilian soccer, considered out of the market for its importance.
The Portuguese’s discomfort has been evident in recent matches, especially after the defeat to Al Ittihad, which ended with CR7 running off and not going through the dressing room.
He asked for reinforcements and although Duran arrived in January, it has not been enough to straighten the competitive course of the club, whose leaders have seen that the titles do not arrive with the former Real Madrid player wearing the yellow shirt of Al Nassr, so much so that the renewal that they had almost sealed is evaporating by the moment.
It is true that the CR7 impact has multiplied the importance of Saudi soccer tenfold, but clubs are demanding results and even more so now that little by little they are becoming private companies that manage their results (both sporting and economic).
In parallel, and while the storm is raging at Al Nassr (Al Hilal, the other giant, is in similar circumstances), the player’s entourage has received a major offer from a Brazilian team. What at first seemed like a market move with no further development is turning into something that could turn into an out-of-market offer with significant contributions from outside investors.
Whether or not it happens, Saudi Arabian football has undergone a total and absolute change in less than a year. Karim Benzema and the Al Ittihad structure have been able to bring down those who seemed to be in control. Neither Al Nassr nor Al Hilal, that is to say Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar (who was dismissed months ago), have been able to cope with the sensible and logical management of Ramon Planes and company with the former Real Madrid player as the absolute reference point.
Now the dilemma is for Cristiano Ronaldo, the offer is tempting and would open up the possibility of participating in the Club World Cup. Having adapted perfectly to Saudi life, the time has come for decisions to be made and what was a perfect scenario is no longer so perfect, all because of poor results.
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