Tag: football

A former colleague of the Al-Nassr manager has given a less-than-friendly verdict on the man who will coach Ronaldo.

Al-Nassr manager Rudi Garcia is a ‘cold human being’ who will try to befriend a ‘legend’ like Cristiano Ronaldo and take advantage of it, according to Juninho Pernambucano.

Juninho was the sporting director of Lyon when Garcia coached the French club between 2019 and 2021. Allegedly, the duo had a poor relationship, with the former midfielder now launching a scathing review of the coach.

“He doesn’t know how to lead anything. He leads out of the fear he imposes on others. My experience with Rudi Garcia was terrible. He’s the worst character I’ve known in all my footballing career,” Juninho told MaisFutebol.

“He won’t dare to do anything obstructive.”

‘Garcia will even serve Cristiano his breakfast’

Garcia moved to Al-Nassr last July after spells at Lille, AS Roma, Marseille, and

The five-time Ballon d’Or and Champions League winner joined Al Nassr on a two-and-half-year deal last week.

Al Nassr manager Rudi Garcia has praised the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo as a big step forward for Saudi Arabian football.

The 37-year-old forward arrived in Riyadh on Monday ahead of his official unveiling on Tuesday. He has signed a contract for Al Nassr until June 2025. According to various media reports, the deal is reportedly worth around €200 million ($213.3m) per year.

“The signing of a player the size of Cristiano Ronaldo is extraordinary and contributes to the development of Saudi football,” said Garcia, who once coached Lille, AS Roma, Marseille, and Lyon in Europe.

“We are happy with his arrival. The first goal is to work so he can adapt to our team, to enjoy playing for Al Nassr, and to entertain the fans.”

Al Nassr will unveil Ronaldo at their

The Portuguese superstar joined Al Nassr after leaving Manchester United as a free agent.

Cristiano Ronaldo insists he turned down many offers to choose Al Nassr as his next club.

Following a difficult start to the new season under Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo ended his spell at Manchester United with an explosive interview in November.

Reports started emerging of Ronaldo’s interest in continuing his career in Europe. But links with Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Sporting CP led to no offers, with Ronaldo officially joining Al Nassr last week.

Speaking at his unveiling on Tuesday, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said: “In Europe, my work is done. I won everything. I played for the most important clubs in Europe. For me now it’s a new challenge,” he said.

“For me, this is a great opportunity not only in football but also to change the mentality of the new generation.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had several suitors from the north American league.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly came ‘very close’ to joining Sporting Kansas City before deciding to join Al Nassr.

The Saudi side confirmed Ronaldo’s record-breaking transfer on Friday, signing him on a two-year contract.

The move ends CR7’s spell at the top level as he edges closer to retiring from football. A number of elite players have spent the last years of their careers in MLS, and Ronaldo was also close to doing the same.

Most observers expected LA Galaxy or Inter Miami to make an offer for Ronaldo, who became a free agent after leaving Manchester United last month.

But another American side had seemingly taken the lead in the race to sign Ronaldo.

According to ESPN journalist Taylor Twellman, Sporting Kansas City came up with a convincing offer to sign the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.