Cristiano Ronaldo is rounding back the clock. The Portuguese superstar has netted 43 goals in 2023, a substantial upturn even at the age of 38. Both Ronaldo and Al Nassr are in the best of moments. Al Nassr is in red-hot form with a 13-match unbeaten streak. The 5-time Ballon d’Or winner seems to be enjoying life off the pitch as well. He was one of the VIP attendees for the historic match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. While the soccer veteran had immersed himself in the boxing universe, Al Nassr and Ronaldo received some dreaded news. An injury that could potentially cause short-term harm to the club.

Al Nassr currently stands fourth in the league table. Pressure will be on Luis Castro to ensure they have a strong season, considering the signings they have made. Despite the presence of Sadio Mane, Alex Telles, Brozovic, and most importantly CR7, this particular injured player could potentially be a very influential and important one.

Who does Al Nassr need a replacement for?

When Al Nassr signed Aymeric Laporte, there was a huge uproar amongst the fans. The ex-Manchester City star is a left-footed defender with excellent ball-playing abilities. Once described by Spanish journalist Guillem Balague as a “center-back who can play from the back and is strong“. Laporte boasts of a pass completion rate of 92.7% (via fbref) while standing in the 99th percentile for progressive actions. Finding a defender who is as comfortable on the ball is an impossible job. However, it seems that Luis Castro is ready to work with what he already has.

According to a report on X, Abdullah Madu will be the replacement for Laporte for the match against Al-Fayha. Like Laporte, Madu is a left-footed centreback with great physical qualities. While he might not boast of the pedigree of the former Manchester City star, the 30-year Saudi-born defender is an experienced player, capable of filling in for Laporte. While Al Nassr looks to build upon their good form, Cristiano Ronaldo recently attended the Fury vs Ngannou Champions Gala.

The Cristiano Ronaldo x Tyson Fury Connection

Cristiano Ronaldo was not the only high-profile soccer presence at the Gala. He was also joined by former soccer players Rio Ferdinand and Ronaldo Nazario. Cristiano Ronaldo and Tyson Fury certainly keep an eye out for each other. They even managed to pose for a group photo, with Ronaldo appearing to poke fun at Fury. During his time in Saudi Arabia, Fury expressed his admiration for the Soccer Legend during a conversation. He said, “Cristiano, you are the greatest footballer, I’m a big fan, I have watched you a lot”. 

Without a doubt, that was quite a declaration by the boxing legend. However, if Cristiano Ronaldo continues his current scoring form, there will be a lot more people pushing for Ronaldo as the greatest of all time. How do you feel about the special bond between the two sporting greats? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch this story: Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, Is ‘Declining’: Undefeated Champion Tyson Fury Ahead of Portugal vs. South Korea