Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has claimed his 'toughest opponent' during his playing days was not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, despite recognising the iconic duo as the 'best players' he came up against. Kompany made 621 senior appearances as a player between 2003 and 2020, most notably captaining Manchester City and the Belgium national team.
Jhon Duran’s career continues to be a whirlwind of goals and controversy, with his latest chapter in Russia starting in explosive fashion. The former Aston Villa striker, who recently completed a loan move to Zenit St Petersburg, found himself in the referee's notebook just five minutes into his debut for the club. It was a baptism of fire for the Colombian international, whose reputation for high-intensity play and occasional loss of discipline preceded him to his new surroundings.
The 22-year-old was named in the starting XI for a pre-season friendly against Shanghai Port, a match intended to integrate him into the squad. However, the "friendly" nature of the contest was quickly forgotten when Duran became embroiled in a physical altercation with an opposition defender while chasing a long ball. The forward appeared to lose his composure during a battle for possession, leading to a confrontation that left spectators and officials stunned by its intensity so early in the game.
Former Manchester United backroom member Steve McClaren has opened up on what caused the infamous falling out between Cristiano Ronaldo and ex-head coach Erik ten Hag before the football icon's departure to Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022. The Portugal international was released from the club following a bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, where he slammed the Red Devils' owners, as well as his manager and team-mates.
Jorge Jesus admits that Al-Hilal have “more economic power” than Al-Nassr, having seen Cristiano Ronaldo go on strike amid questions of how wealth is distributed among clubs controlled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The agitated Portuguese GOAT is playing again, with his manager in Riyadh appreciating why frustration has boiled over.
Cristiano Ronaldo has always been a bad loser, former Manchester United and Portugal team-mate Nani has revealed, with the all-time great breaking down in tears if things did not go his way. CR7 has spent his record-shattering career chasing perfection, with any stumbles endured when heading down that path leading to an outpouring of emotion.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has explained why he is more Cristiano Ronaldo than Lionel Messi, with the NBA superstar adding his voice to the long-running GOAT debate. The Milwaukee Bucks talisman is hoping to form part of those discussions in basketball circles and sees himself being cut from similar sporting cloth to Portuguese icon CR7 - while being a huge admirer of magical Argentina international Messi.
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al-Nassr’s starting line-up and scored against Al-Fateh after missing two matches amid a dispute over finances and transfer backing in the Saudi Pro League. The club captain was on strike after title rivals Al-Hilal signed former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, while his own side was restricted in how they could move during the transfer market.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez believes Cristiano Ronaldo could play "on and on and on" if he wanted to, as questions over the 41-year-old's future in the game intensify with each passing day. Ronaldo is almost certain to lead his country at the 2026 World Cup this summer in what is likely to be his international swansong, but it's still unclear when he will retire from the game entirely.
Still just 22 years old, Jhon Duran has joined the sixth club of his increasingly nomadic career and his third in the space of just 12 months, making the controversial decision to head to Russia and sign for Zenit St Petersburg. It is a little over a year since the former Aston Villa hitman was being linked with European giants Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, but after spells in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the striker is already drifting further into obscurity.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the Al-Nassr squad and could feature in Saturday's clash with Al-Fateh. The Portuguese legend has missed his club side's last three games, having been frustrated by the Public Investment Fund during the January transfer window, but he now looks set to end his protest and return to the pitch.
Aymeric Laporte has opened up on his decision to turn his back on the Saudi Pro League, admitting that life at Al-Nassr did not align with his professional or personal expectations. The Spain international, who completed a fairytale return to Athletic Club last summer, revealed that his desire to return to his roots outweighed lucrative offers from several other European giants, including Marseille.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to generate transfer talk in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr, but the Portuguese GOAT has been informed that his next move “won’t be to Manchester United”. CR7 has previously taken in two spells at Old Trafford, but a third is being ruled out as the all-time great mulls over his future options at 41 years of age.
Cristiano Ronaldo, amid his strike action at Al-Nassr, is being backed for an “incredible” link-up with Lionel Messi in MLS. CR7 is seeing a stunning move away from the Saudi Pro League speculated on as tension mounts in the Middle East. It could be that the Portuguese superstar decides to join another GOAT in MLS as Sir David Beckham throws open the doors at Inter Miami.
Al-Nassr beat Turkmenistan club Arkadag 1-0 in the first leg of their AFC Champions League 2 Round of 16 tie, doing so without Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal superstar is set to return to action this weekend after missing their last three fixtures, but without him, they managed to earn an advantage they will take back to Saudi Arabia, thanks to Abdullah Al-Hamdan's strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he "doesn't have the genius" of fellow footballing greats such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario by former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello. The Portugal and Al-Nassr superstar is still going strong at the age of 41, and remains on track to score 1,000 career goals before he retires, but has been told he's still not one of the very best.
Karim Benzema reportedly provoked former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after sealing his controversial transfer to Al-Hilal, with the French forward said to have sent a Saudi Pro League title joke to a disgruntled friend that has taken strike action at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo was left frustrated at seeing a fellow Ballon d’Or winner change clubs during the winter transfer window.
Jorge Jesus has reportedly sent an ultimatum to Al-Nassr’s board, with the Portuguese coach making it clear that his future in the Saudi Pro League is directly tied to that of fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 has taken to going on strike of late, as grievances in the Middle East are aired, and there is an exit clause in his contract that can be triggered in the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has defended his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo over his Al-Nassr strike, insisting "no-one would watch the Saudi Pro League" if he were not playing in the country. The Portugal international is poised to end his two-game strike and return to competitive attack with Jorge Jesus's side after returning to training this week.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to end his strike at Al-Nassr as he prepares to return for the Saudi Arabian club. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar had refused to play for his side in protest at their transfer dealings in January, missing the team's last two matches, but Al-Nassr have now pencilled in the date for their superstar's return.
Cristiano Ronaldo is generating transfer talk at Al-Nassr, having gone on strike in the Saudi Pro League, with a return to Europe for the Portuguese GOAT being speculated on. It has been suggested that the 41-year-old frontman could be targeted by Manchester United for a third spell at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils’ stance on a stunning deal has been revealed.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to “never stop playing football”, with fellow Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos telling the Portuguese GOAT that he needs to prolong his career for as long as possible - even if he ends up “with one leg or crawling”. CR7 has passed his 41st birthday without giving any thought to retirement and is expected to grace the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that he “needs to know his place”, with the Portuguese superstar being reminded that he would have “never entered the White House” alongside President Donald Trump if it were not for the backing of the Saudi Pro League - a division that the Ballon d’Or-winning Al-Nassr striker is currently taking shock strike action against.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to leave Al-Nassr in the summer transfer window if Liverpool star Mohamed Salah makes the switch to the Saudi Pro League. The Portugal superstar's future at the club is currently in doubt amid a protest against the Public Investment Fund (PIF) over transfers which has seen Ronaldo left out of his club's last two league matches.
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Al Nassr FC
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