Cristiano Ronaldo pulls off silky backheel assist during training after returning to Al-Nassr camp ahead of new season
Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to pre-season training with Al-Nassr in style as the Portuguese star came up with a perfect backheel assist in one of his team's recent training camps.
After enjoying his time off following Portugal's UEFA Euro 2024 elimination, the ex-Manchester United and Juventus star recently took part in a training session for Al-Nassr. The 39-year-old superstar pulled off an effortless backheel with his right foot during the sessions.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr on a Bosman move in January 2023, will be keen to guide his current club to a trophy next campaign. He is yet to win a silverware after ending his second spell at the Red Devils.
During the 2023-24 season, the Real Madrid legend enjoyed a brilliant time out for Al-Nassr. He found the back of the net a whopping 44 times and laid out 13 assists in 45 games in all competitions for his club.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr are scheduled to start their 2024-25 season next Wednesday (August 14). The Luis Castro-coached outfit will take on Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final.
Cristiano Ronaldo cannot grasp his decline in last few years, suggests physiotherapist
During a recent chat with UK-based betting outlet OLBG, ex-England and Chelsea physiotherapist Dave Hancock insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer as good as he once was.He said (h/t GB News):
"For players like Cristiano Ronaldo coming to the end of their careers, it's soul-destroying. I've witnessed it over many, many years. At the end of the day, you want them to go and be able to play forever, but unfortunately ageing doesn't allow us to do that."
Hancock, who has previously also worked for Leeds United, added:
"I think it'somore around the psychology of the athlete getting in his mind about when is the time to call it quits. In my conversations with many athletes about this over the years, there comes a point when they are struggling to get out of bed and move, feeling like their body takes 30 minutes to get going before they go out on the pitch and they start thinking about what they really want to do."
Ronaldo, who has scored 130 goals in 212 games for Portugal, endured a sub-par UEFA Euro 2024 campaign. He failed to net a goal and even missed a vital penalty in five appearances in the tournament.
The five-time Ballon d'Or award winner will turn 40 next February.