"Will help the team by scoring goals" - Luis Castro insists Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate will not be sold amid exit links
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr manager Luis Castro has quashed rumours that the club could sell Senegal international Sadio Mane. The former Liverpool forward has spent a year in Saudi Arabia since he joined from Bayern Munich last summer for €30 million.
Mane was one of Liverpool's best players under Jurgen Klopp from 2016 to 2022, as he scored 120 goals and provided 42 assists in 269 games. He also did well in his solitary season for Al-Nassr, bagging 19 goals and 11 assists in 46 games in 2023-24.
The Knights of Najd are set to face Al-Taawoun in the Super Cup semi-final on Wednesday (August 14). Speaking at a press conference ahead of the clash, Castro said he expects Sadio Mane to play an important role for Al-Nassr in the new season.
“He is a Al Nassr player and is with us. God willing, he will help the team by scoring goals," Castro said (via Al Nassr Zone on X).
Mane will be an important part of Luis Castro's plans to claim the league next season and reduce the side's dependence on Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Can go to his own limits" - When Al-Nassr boss Luis Castro praised Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time, having bagged 759 goals and 238 assists in 1013 club games.
Despite being 39, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains a potent threat for the Saudi Arabian side. He has scored 58 goals and provided 15 assists in 64 games since joining Al-Nassr in 2022. Speaking on the Canal Goat's YouTube channel in 2023, the Portuguese manager said (via GOAL):
"It's hard to say something about him that the world doesn't know. He has a lot of focus on everyday football. He transmits a contagious energy to the game and to his teammates. The day-to-day training, recovery, is fantastic."
Castro concluded by saying:
"He is a captain for what he does every second of his day. Food, rest, hours of sleep, it's total control of his body. On the field, he is that player. He can go to his own limits."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Castro are keen to lead their side to league glory for the first time since the 2018-2019 season. They begin their quest for the title on August 22 when they face Al-Raed at home.