Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr sign 21-year old Saudi Arabian star from rival SPL club
Cristiano Ronaldo will have a new teammate at Al-Nassr after the club completed the signing of Saudi youth international Salem Al-Najdi from Al-Fateh. The Knights of Najd have been more conservative with their spending this summer since the appointment of Fernando Hierro as their Sporting Director.
Al-Nassr spent heavily in the summer of 2023, signing the likes of Sadio Mane, Otavio, Aymeric Laporte, Alex Telles and Marcelo Brozovic from European clubs. The Saudi side finished second behind Al-Hilal, who went the entire season unbeaten, in the Saudi Pro League.
The club has now completed the signing of Saudi U-21 star Salem Al-Najdi following an impressive season with Al-Fateh. The 21-year-old left-back appeared 24 times in the league, scoring three goals and providing an assist from his position in defense, helping his side keep two clean sheets.
Al-Najdi is a familiar player to Al-Nassr, seeing as he scored against them in a 2-1 defeat with his Al-Fateh side in the 2023-24 season. Cristiano Ronaldo and Otavio were the goalscorers for Luis Castro's side on that occasion.
The signing of Al-Najdi was directly funded by club president Ibrahim Al-Muhaidib, with director Hierro overseeing negotiations with Al-Fateh. The youngster has signed a deal that will keep him contracted to the club until 2029. He was signed to compete with Alex Telles for a starting berth at left-back.
Salem Al-Najdi is only the second signing for Al-Nassr this summer after Brazilian goalkeeper Bento joined from Athletico Paranaense. The young left-back will be available for selection when the side faces rivals Al-Hilal in the Saudi Super Cup final on Saturday, August 17.
Cristiano Ronaldo fires Al-Hilal warning ahead of Super Cup final with Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a timely reminder of his class for Al-Nassr as they defeated Al-Taawoun (August 14) to seal a place in the Saudi Super Cup final. The Portuguese superstar delivered a goal and an assist as his side won the game 2-0 to book a ticket against Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo failed to score in Euro 2024 and missed a penalty, leading many to believe his edge had dulled at 39. The former Real Madrid man, however, put that behind him as he assisted Ayman Yahya's eighth minute opener before scoring one himself in the 57th minute.
Al-Hilal await Al-Nassr in the final on Saturday, as the defending champions are keen to retain the title. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates will look to spoil the party for their rivals, who beat them in the semi-final of the same competition last season.