Two Stars Leaving Al Nassr Due to Incompatibility with Ronaldo
Recently, Al Nassr is facing a significant internal crisis as two of its top stars, forward Sadio Mane and center-back Aymeric Laporte, are set to leave the club. The main reasons for their departure are underlying conflicts with team captain Cristiano Ronaldo and a series of internal issues within the team.
According to Mail Sport, Sadio Mane is considering a move to Al Ittihad, led by coach Laurent Blanc, with an invitation from forward Karim Benzema. This suggests that Mane is not only seeking a new opportunity in his career but also possibly looking to escape the current environment at Al Nassr. Meanwhile, Aymeric Laporte may return to Spain to play, with Real Madrid being a potential destination. The departure of these two stars is not only a matter of transfer but also an indication of significant internal tensions at Al Nassr.
Mane and Laporte joined Al Nassr last season with a total transfer value of nearly 65 million USD. However, despite the substantial investment in the team, Al Nassr, under the leadership of Cristiano Ronaldo, failed to secure any titles. Particularly notable was their defeat in the Saudi Arabian Super Cup final on August 18, where Al Nassr lost 1-4 to rivals Al Hilal. This match left the two stars deeply disappointed. According to Mail Sport, Ronaldo had criticized his teammates after scoring the opening goal, which further exacerbated feelings of disrespect and dissatisfaction among other players.
Regarding the internal situation of the club, Al Nassr is currently facing a severe crisis. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the main financial backer of the club, has halted its financial support, leading to difficulties in executing major transfer plans and spending like before. This cessation of financial support has made it challenging for Al Nassr to reinforce its squad and maintain competitiveness on the field.
These developments not only affect Al Nassr’s performance but also raise concerns about maintaining stability within the team. As Mane and Laporte prepare for the next stages of their careers, Al Nassr will need to address these challenges to rebuild a strong squad for the upcoming season.
