TheNewsGuru

Tag: Al-Nassr

  • Transfer: Joao Felix leaves Stamford Bridge

    Transfer: Joao Felix leaves Stamford Bridge

    Joao Felix has left Chelsea on a permanent transfer to join Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr after much transfer speculation.

    Felix will link up with Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo and former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane at Al Nassr as the side aim for the title once more which has eluded them since the Portuguese international’s arrival.

    Felix, who has joined Al-Nassr from Chelsea on a two-year contract in a deal worth up to £43.7m, remains the third most expensive transfer ever after costing Atletico Madrid £113m from Benfica at the age of 19 in 2019.

    He had been in talks with Benfica over a return to Portugal but Chelsea landed an agreement with Al Nassr and now follows in the footsteps of Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, N’Golo Kante, and Angelo Gabriel who have made the move from Stamford Bridge to the Saudi League.

    Football.London reports that now the Felix move is done, Chelsea are closing in on a deal for RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons, who will essentially replace Felix as a backup to Cole Palmer. A bid for Simons could come in the next few days from the Blues who have been relentless in the transfer market so far this summer as they construct a side worthy of the Premier League title.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo goes trophyless again

    Cristiano Ronaldo goes trophyless again

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr were eliminated from the AFC Champions League after a 3-2 semi-final defeat to Kawasaki Frontale on Wednesday.

    Kawasaki took the lead after10 minutes thanks to Tatsuya Ito who broke the deadlock with a fine volley.

    Nevertheless, the Saudi side restored parity 18 minutes later through Senegal international Sadio Mane who was teed yo by Nawaf Boushal.

    Ronaldo could have given his team the but his header struck the crossbar in the 33rd minute.

    In the goal-laden first-half, the Japanese team restored their lead through Yuto Ozeki’s strike.

    Things fell apart for Al Nassr as Kawasaki raced to a two-goal advantage in the 76th minute through super-sub Akihiro Ienaga who was teed up by Erison.

    Despite a late effort from Ayman Yahya, it could not prevent the hosts from crashing out as Portugal legend Ronaldo now remain without a trophy since joining them since January 2023.

  • Club Friendly: Ronaldo’s Al Nassr thrash Messi’s Inter Miami 6-0 in Riyadh

    Club Friendly: Ronaldo’s Al Nassr thrash Messi’s Inter Miami 6-0 in Riyadh

    Portugal and Al-Nassr superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo was an unused player but his team hammered Lionel Messi’s  Inter Miami 6-0 in a club friendly on Thursday night.

    Ronaldo was not in the squad for the match because of injury, but was in the stands to support his team mates.

    Messi was in the stands too, but was introduced very late in the second half, as part of a contractual obligation.

    Ronaldo could be seen laughing and joking as his side totally outclassed their MLS opponents.

    A hat-trick from Anderson Talisca plus goals from Otavio, Mohammed Maran and an absolute screamer from Aymeric Laporte sealed the rout for the Saudis.

  • Saudi Pro League: Sadio Mane joins Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

    Saudi Pro League: Sadio Mane joins Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr

    Senegal forward, Sadio Mane has left Bayern Munich to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr.

    The winger scored 12 goals in 38 games for the German champions in an injury-hit season for his new club.

    Reports suggest Bayern have recouped the majority of the £35m they paid Liverpool for the forward a year ago.

    Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said the former Southampton player had not had an “easy year” since moving from Anfield.

    “He was not able to contribute to as much as we all and he himself had hoped,” said Dreesen.

    “That’s why we decided together he would start a new chapter in his career and make a fresh start at another club.”

    Earlier on Tuesday Bayern manager Thomas Tuchel said he and Mane agreed “it was the best solution to untie the knot”.

    “We had a long, big hug and we both agreed we don’t like what’s happening now, but we think it’s for the best in this situation,” said the Bayern coach.

    “Sometimes things don’t work out as everybody wants. I have always had a very good relationship with him and this will stay.

    “I can totally understand he feels hurt and I also wouldn’t feel happy if things like this happened.

    “Obviously it’s something that we didn’t bring into the full potential, which is my responsibility, but in this particular situation it was the best solution to untie the knot.”

  • Bayern aware Sadio Mane is in talks with Al-Nassr

    Bayern aware Sadio Mane is in talks with Al-Nassr

    Bayern Munich are aware that winger Sadio Mane is in talks with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr for a possible transfer.

    “Bayern have been informed about it. But these are initial talks, so we will have to wait and see,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said on Wednesday on the sidelines of a visit to the Tokyo governor.

    Bayern are in Japan for a pre-season training camp.

    According to the Bild newspaper, Al-Nassr representatives are to meet with Mané’s management team later on Wednesday.

    The Saudi club, who have Cristiano Ronaldo in their squad, are reportedly offering Mané a big salary. The player has a contract with Bayern until 2025, but is not ruling out an early departure.

    Hainer said there was no concrete offer yet, but media reports speak of something around €30 million ($33.18 million).

    Mané moved to Munich last summer and had a difficult first season, which included a long-term injury over which he missed the World Cup.

    He was also involved in a dressing room altercation with fellow forward Leroy Sane.

  • C.Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr banned by FIFA over Ahmed Musa’s unpaid fees

    C.Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr banned by FIFA over Ahmed Musa’s unpaid fees

    Christiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian club, Al Nassr, have been banned by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) from registering new players until they settle a debt with Leicester City.

    Al Nassr were ordered to pay Leicester €460,000 ($513,000) plus annual interest of 5% in an October 2021 ruling by a FIFA-appointed judge at its players’ status committee.

    Recall that Leicester city  filed the complaint in April 2021 because of unpaid additional clauses due from the €18m ($20m) sale of Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa in 2018.

    Al Nassr — which was taken under majority ownership last month by the $700 billion sovereign wealth Public Investment Fund — can still sign new players though not register them to play.

    “The club Al Nassr is currently prevented from registering new players due to outstanding debts,” FIFA said Thursday. “The relevant bans will be lifted immediately upon the settlement of the debts being confirmed by the creditors concerned.”

    Al Nassr’s signing of Ronaldo as a free agent in January sparked an unprecedented spree of spending by clubs in the Saudi Pro League, with four now majority-owned by PIF. The fund is chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

    Al Nassr signed Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic this month from Inter Milan in a transfer reportedly valued at €18m ($20m).

    Al Nassr are in Portugal on a preseason training camp. On Aug. 22, they have a qualifying playoff in the Asian Champions League. Al Nassr will host Shabab Al Ahli of United Arab Emirates or Jordan’s Al Wehdat.

    Ahmed Musa left Riyadh-based Al Nassr in 2020 and currently p,ies his trade at Turkish side Sivasspor Football Club.

     

  • Al Nassr willing to meet Griezmann buyout clause

    Al Nassr willing to meet Griezmann buyout clause

    Al Nassr are moving for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann.

    Al Nassr are ready to ask the question to Griezmann about a move to the Saudi Pro League with assurances they’ll pay his buyout clause.

    Foot Mercato says Griezmann can leave Atletico this summer for €25m.

    Al Nassr are willing to meet the clause – should Griezmann agree to the move.

    The 32 year-old was superb for Atletico last season, scoring 15 goals and producing 17 assists.

    A move to Al Nassr would see Griezmann share attacking duties with Cristiano Ronaldo.

  • C. Ronaldo plots Al-Nassr exit for move to Europe

    C. Ronaldo plots Al-Nassr exit for move to Europe

    Portugal and Al-Nassr forward,  Cristiano Ronaldo is plotting his exit from the Saudi Arabian club side come next summer.

    Mundo Deportivo, Ronaldo reports that the 38-year-old has realized the glaring differences between the Middle East club’s infrastructure and that of Europe.

    According to insinuations emerging from Ronaldo’s camp, the lanky forward could be heading back to Europe.

    There are speculations Newcastle FC could be interested in snapping up the forward to play Champions League football for them next season.

    The Portugal international joined the club as a free agent in January and signed a two-year deal worth a reported €200 million per year.

    The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus superstar has impressed at Mrsool Park, where he has scored 13 goals and contributed two assists in 17 games across competitions.

    Ronaldo’s team is second in the Saudi Pro League table, three points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad.

    However, Ronaldo will reportedly have to compensate for the remaining months of his deal before departing the Saudi side.

    Moreover, Ronaldo will also be sanctioned with a four-month restriction on his eligibility to play in any official game.

  • Cristiano Ronaldo plans Al-Nassr’s exit

    Cristiano Ronaldo plans Al-Nassr’s exit

    Speculations are rife that Cristiano Ronaldo is planning  to leave Al-Nassr few months after his switch to the Saudi club from English Premier League side Manchester United.

    Recall that Ronaldo had his contract terminated after granting an interview with Piers Morgan where he castigated Manchester United’s coach Ten Hag and the management crew.

    The 38-year-old then agreed a £ 175 million-a-year contract until 2025 with the Saudi Arabian giants.

    Reports say Real Madrid are willing to offer Ronaldo a non-playing role as an ambassador, according to El Nacional.

    The Spanish outlet said: ‘Florentino Perez has guaranteed that [Ronaldo] will not lack work at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    ‘But, obviously, he wouldn’t do it to be a player, because he considers that it is a cycle that should be considered closed.’

    Ronaldo’s partner Georgina Rodriguez is also said to be yearning for a return to the Spanish capital where the couple met.

    Ronaldo is a club legend at Real Madrid, having scored 451 goals in 438 appearances during his time at the Bernabeu.

    He won four Champions League crowns, three Club World Cups and UEFA Super Cups apiece, two LaLiga titles, a pair of Copas del Rey and two Spanish Super Cups with the LaLiga giants.

    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has 12 goals in as many league games for Al-Nassr so far this season.

  • C. Ronaldo’s coach, Rudi Garcia fired by Saudi Club Al Nassr

    C. Ronaldo’s coach, Rudi Garcia fired by Saudi Club Al Nassr

    Christiano Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr has announced that it has parted ways with head coach, Rudi Garcia.

    Reports say that Garcia has been fired due to his poor relationship with the dressing room, which includes Cristiano Ronaldo.

    He recently confronted the players, a move which proved costly, as the Saudi Pro League club has taken the decision to dismiss him.

    Garcia has also failed to live up to the expectations set out in his club’s ambitious project.

    With seven fixtures left to play, Al Nassr is currently in second place, three points behind Al Ittihad.

    Al-Nassr Football Club is a Saudi Arabian football club based in Riyadh. Formed in 1955, the club plays its home games at the Mrsool Park. Their home colours are yellow and blue. Al-Nassr is one of the most successful clubs in Saudi Arabia, with 27 official trophie