Former Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is off to a dream start with Al-Nassr following his high-profile move from Villa for an eye-watering £64.5m in the final hours of the January transfer window. The 21-year-old Colombian has already made his mark in Saudi Arabia, scoring twice on his debut in a 3-0 victory over Al-Fahya and adding another two goals in a 4-0 win against Al-Wasl in the Asian Champions League.
Speaking after his debut, Duran expressed his excitement about playing alongside global superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I am very happy to share and learn from the best athlete in the world. For me, he is the biggest star in football and learning from him is incredible. Scoring with the football king is like playing a career in FIFA.”
Despite the significant financial boost—Duran is reportedly earning around £322k per week—he was quick to dismiss claims that money was his primary motivation for the move.
“I’m really happy about the move. I think of only my family, my agent, and me when making decisions. My family is especially important, and I don’t see this as a backwards step. I’m moving to a competitive league with many stars here. As for those saying I’m motivated by money, they know nothing about my life. Money doesn’t motivate me—I’m just a youngster who still hangs out with my people. I made this decision because I believe it’s the best one for my career, and I’ll prove it on the pitch.”
Duran’s positive start has put him on a promising trajectory as he prepares to continue his impressive form. He will face Al-Ahli in his next bout, competing against former Premier League talents Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez.
As critics and skeptics debate whether his move is a step backward or a bold career move, Duran remains focused on delivering results on the field. His early performances suggest he is ready to rise to the challenge, learning from top-tier players like Ronaldo and adapting quickly to life in a highly competitive league.
For fans watching his journey, Duran’s comments underscore a confident, determined mindset—one that promises exciting times ahead as he works to solidify his place at Al-Nassr and prove his critics wrong.
