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Algerian coach Noureddine Zekri has emphasised that Al Nassr should build a strong attack around Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Saudi Pro League (Picture credit: AFP)
Algerian coach Noureddine Zekri has said that while Cristiano Ronaldo is a top-notch goalscorer and is still at his very best even at 40 years old, Al Nassr need to realise that he isn’t 25 and need to build a full-proof attack around him, rather than leaving Ronaldo to do the entire job.
Since joining Al Nassr in January 2023 as a free agent, Ronaldo is yet to win an official trophy at the club. Despite this, he has thrived, scoring 93 goals and 19 assists in 105 matches across all tournaments.
But Al Nassr have been unable to lift trophies, often being overshadowed by rivals Al Hilal and Al Ittihad.
“The Portuguese star is a goalscorer and can finish off all attacks with great ease, despite his advanced age. Ronaldo is no longer 25 years old, so you can’t ask him to perform defensive roles,” Zekri said while speaking on the On White podcast.
“He needs to build a system around him by having strong wingers and a strong midfield, and leave the task of scoring goals to him. Ronaldo, without the full support of Al-Nassr’s players, managed to win the top scorer award twice in a row, so the club must sign players who can serve him,” Zekri added.
Al Nassr signed Jhon Duran from Aston Villa six months back for a transfer fee of £64 million, reportedly, to turn their season around.
“Al-Nassr could have won titles if they had followed this logic, but they went to sign another striker (Jhon Duran). He is a good player, but he was unable to perform at his best because he was alongside Ronaldo and thus there was an offensive crisis,” Zekri said.
Duran moved to Turkish team Fenerbahce on a season-long loan earlier this month.
Meanwhile, earlier this month, Hong Kong football fans queued for hours to snap pictures of Ronaldo’s trophies and jerseys at an exhibition billed as the first of its kind outside the superstar’s native Portugal.
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