Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr set to hire former Serie A manager following Luis Castro's exit - Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr are reportedly on the cusp of appointing Stefano Pioli. The Italian was in charge of AC Milan last season, leaving this summer following a five-year stay.
Meanwhile, Al-Alami confirmed earlier in the day that they had parted ways with previous boss Luis Castro. The Portuguese failed to land competitive silverware in his 14-month tenure.
His side have stuttered into the new campaign, winning twice in six games across competitions, including a loss to holders Al-Hilal in the Super Cup final. The Knights of Najd had finished second, 14 points behind Al-Hilal, in the league last season and fell to them in the Kings Cup final and the Super Cup semi-final.
As reported by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Al-Alami and Pioli's deal is in the 'final' stages and that the former Milan boss is all set to arrive in the Kingdom to take charge at Mrsool Park.
Pioli famously led Milan to the Scudetto in the 2021-22 season, ending over a decade-long wait for the league title in the red and black side of Milan. He's now all set to embark on a new challenge, his first outside Italian shores.
"It's a unique milestone in my career" - Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo on scoring 900 career goals
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo created yet more history earlier this month. The 39-year-old scored in Portugal's 2-1 UEFA Nations League win over Croatia in Lisbon to become the first player to score 900 career goals.
Following a rare blank in five outings at Euro 2024 - where A Selecao lost on penalties to France in the quarter-final - it was a welcome return to form for the Portugal captain.
Arriving at the game after scoring in Al-Nassr's first four games across competitions in the new season, Ronaldo netted his landmark strike in the first half. Reflecting on the significance of the achievement, he said (as per the BBC):
"It was emotional because it's a milestone. It seems like any other milestone but only I know, and the people around me, how hard it is to work every day, to be physically and psychologically fit, to score 900 goals. It's a unique milestone in my career."
Having missed the AFC Champions League Elite opener at Al-Shorta - which his team drew 1-1 - Ronaldo is expected to return to action when the Knights of Najd take on Al-Ettifaq away in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.