Al Nassr-Bound Sporting Director Rejects Cristiano Ronaldo, Leaving Saudi Club Scrambling After AFC Champions League Disappointment – Reports

This week has turned from bad to worse for Al Nassr. After seeing the dream of winning their first AFC Champions League title squashed, the Saudi side has been dealt another blow. Their primary target for the Sporting Director role has reportedly rejected them. Interestingly, he was the preferred choice for captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Now, the Knights of Najd are back to square one in their search for a man to lead their soccer operations.

Miguel Ribeiro, from Portugal, is the one who snubbed Al Nassr. Per reports, he has even issued an apology to the upper management. Regardless, they were surprised by his decision. The club was expecting him to take a closer look at the team and then sign the contract. However, it looks like he is not interested in joining the Knights of Najd. Well, they’ve missed out on an experienced candidate for sure.

As a Sporting Director, Ribeiro is vastly experienced having been at several Portuguese clubs like Rio Ave FC and Famalicao. He was even recommended by not only Cristiano Ronaldo but Luis Castro too. Al Nassr has already begun the search to find another candidate to fill the role left vacant since Goran Vucevic’s departure in December.

Sporting Directors play a key role in transfers and player signings. The departure of Vucevic quietened the rumors surrounding his countryman Luka Modric’s arrival. Hence, this could be why Cristiano Ronaldo is keen to provide his input in the search for a new sporting director. But a soccer player having such influence at a club is unheard of. And a former English Premier League star doesn’t agree with it.

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘decides everything’! Al Nassr’s problem exposed by Ex Tottenham star

Ex-EPL striker and Egypt international Ahmed Mido is not fond of Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence at Al Nassr. He said, “Al Nassr’s real problem is that Ronaldo is the one leading the team, not Mr. Castro. Ronaldo decides everything in the team.” He insisted that a club remains bigger than any one player, and highlighted a recent incident to justify his claims.

Back in November, Al Nassr was scheduled to visit China to play two games. CR7 was undoubtedly the star attraction and major hype generator. However, an untimely muscle injury meant that the Portuguese star couldn’t make the trip. As a result, Al Nassr canceled the entire tour! For Mido, this was unacceptable, and it painted a picture of the sole importance CR7 only enjoys at the club.

What are your thoughts on Ribeiro rejecting Al Nassr and the club’s trajectory forward? Tell us below in the comments.

Read More: Cristiano Ronaldo Bunking Years-Old Tradition Started Al Nassr’s Downfall in Penalty Loss to Al Ain