Cristiano Ronaldo, visibly distraught after Al-Nassr’s penalty shootout defeat to Al-Hilal in the King Cup of Champions final, is seeking assistance from his former club Manchester United.
The 39-year-old forward, who broke down in tears following the loss, faces a second consecutive season in Saudi Arabia without any silverware. This emotional collapse epitomizes the turbulent season Al-Nassr has endured, highlighted by a chaotic final featuring three red cards and a dramatic penalty shootout.
Ronaldo confidently scored Al-Nassr’s second penalty after ex-Manchester United player Alex Telles missed the first. However, Al-Hilal’s superior performance in the shootout, with only two missed penalties compared to Telles’ crucial miss, ensured their victory. This defeat added to Al-Nassr’s woes, as they also lost the Saudi Pro League title to Al-Hilal.
Determined to overcome this disappointment and salvage his season, Ronaldo has reportedly reached out to his former clubs, Manchester United and Real Madrid, seeking reinforcements. According to Spanish publication Marca, he has contacted United midfielder Casemiro about a potential move and also reached out to Madrid’s Nacho Fernandez.
A transfer involving Casemiro could be beneficial for all parties. Despite making 32 appearances for Manchester United this season, the 32-year-old Brazilian midfielder has struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity and missed United’s recent 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Manchester City. Casemiro’s future at Old Trafford, where his contract runs until June 2026, has been uncertain following a challenging season.
In May, after a particularly poor run of form, Casemiro faced intense scrutiny from fans. Following a 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher suggested that Casemiro should consider moving to MLS or the Saudi Pro League. Carragher stated on Sky Sports, “I said at half-time he’s got to bring Casemiro off. I think Casemiro, as an experienced player, should know himself that he should only have another three games left at the top level. The next two league games and the [FA] Cup final. He should be thinking, ‘I need to go to the MLS or Saudi’.”
Carragher added, “The football at this top level has left him, and he needs to call it a day and move on. We are watching one of the greats of the modern time playing in one of the best midfields we’ve seen, who dominated Europe.”
If Casemiro accepts Ronaldo’s invitation, he would join the ranks of high-profile footballers spending the twilight of their careers in Saudi Arabia, potentially bolstering Al-Nassr’s prospects for the upcoming season.
