"I'm here to win a lot of titles" - 24-year-old star makes big claim after joining Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo's new Al-Nassr teammate Mohamed Simakan has made a confident statement concerning his aims with the Saudi Arabian club. The 24-year-old defender joined the Saudi Pro League giants from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig for a reported €35 million this summer and is keen to hit the ground running with his new club.
Simakan made 122 appearances for the Red Bull-owned franchise, scoring seven goals and setting up 13 more helping the team win two DFB Pokal titles and one German Super Cup. He played most often as a centre-back, but also operated as a right-back on occasion.
Speaking to the press after he completed the move to the Arabian team, Simakan said (via @NFC1World on X):
"I'm here to win a lot of titles."
The defender joins an Al-Nassr side keen to dethrone Al-Hilal from the top of the Saudi Pro League. The Knights of Najd have former European stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ayermic Laporte, Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic, and Otavio in their ranks already.
The team's last trophy came in 2021, the Saudi Arabian Super Cup, and they have been runner ups in the league for the last two consecutive seasons.
Cristiano Ronaldo hints at retiring with Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo has hinted at the possibility of retiring with the Saudi Pro League club. The 39-year-old is coming to the end of his illustrious career and is considering the final salvo in what will be a legendary career.
Speaking with Portuguese Channel NOW, Ronaldo said (via FotMob):
"I don't know if I'll finish soon or in two or three years. But, possibly, it will be at Al-Nassr. It's the team where I'm happy, where I'm good, where I feel good, both in the country and in the league. That's why, most likely I can finish my career at Al-Nassr. I'm very happy to play in the league and I want to continue."
Cristiano Ronaldo also discussed his future with the Portuguese national team, saying:
"When I leave the national team, I won't tell anyone in advance and it will be a very spontaneous decision on my part, but also a very well thought-out one. Right now what I want is to be able to help the national team in their upcoming matches. We have the Nations League ahead of us and I would really like to play."
The legendary striker addressed the possibility of taking up a role in management after he hung up his boots. He added:
"At the moment, I'm not thinking about being a coach of the first team or any team. It doesn't even cross my mind, I've never thought about it. I don't see my future going through that. I see myself doing other things outside of football, but only God knows what the future holds."
Cristiano Ronaldo has started the new season in fine form for Al-Nassr, bagging four goals and two assists in four games for the side this season. His contract with the team expires in the summer of 2025.