4 Years After Crotch-Grabbing Celebration Taunt, Cristiano Ronaldo Set for an Awkward Reunion With Former Rival at Al Nassr

Saudi Arabia is on a mission. They want to be in the world’s top soccer leagues after years of anonymity. They took the first step in January after making a statement by signing Cristiano Ronaldo. It seems the clubs are going berserk after the PIF takeover, with a host of superstars on their way to the Gulf nation.

The likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante have already joined the current champions, Al Ittihad. However, the Kante move is yet to get official. The PIF (owners of Newcastle United) backed clubs are in the market for several superstars playing in Europe. We could see several other signings after two Portuguese stars, William Carvalho and Ruben Neves, reportedly agreed on the offers.

Amid all these transfer sagas, a Spanish midfielder is on the radar of Al Nassr. After a disappointing loan spell in the Premier League, he is out of favor with his current club. If Al-Alami lands him, we will see CR7 playing with his rival on the same team.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid star play together for Al Nassr?

Who can forget the goalscoring exploits of the Portuguese against Atletico Madrid? Ronaldo’s move to La Liga in 2009 started arguably the best rivalry the world has seen. He went neck to neck with Lionel Messi, and the rivalry still goes on. Meanwhile, another rivalry brewed during his stay in Madrid. The one against Atletico Madrid, the city rivals of Los Blancos.

Rojiblancos were his favorite opponents after Sevilla. Ronaldo scored 25 goals against Atletico in his career. Moreover, he assisted on nine occasions against Atletico Madrid. He scored several hat-tricks against them, with the latest coming in a 2019 comeback victory in the Champions League in Juventus colors. Juventus were 2-0 down after the first leg that saw Rojiblancos’ boss Diego Simeone doing crotch-grabbing celebrations. 

READ MORE: Influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese Teammate William Carvalho Doubles His Salary Request in the Last Minute of Al Nassr Deal

Everyone was counting the Bianconeri out of the game. But Ronaldo had other plans. He scored a scintillating hat trick to knock out Atletico and did the crotch-grabbing celebrations to mock Simeone. However, four years later, Al Nassr wants to sign the Atletico star, who was part of the team every time Ronaldo humbled them.

The Roshn Saudi League club wants to strengthen its midfield and wants to lure out of favor Saul Niguez. It will be a fascinating move, given the ferocity with which Cristiano Ronaldo played every time he took the field against him. It also comes after the club reportedly signed another midfielder, William Carvalho.

WATCH THIS STORY: Ten Times Cristiano Ronaldo Four Goals in a Game

Let us know your thoughts on Saudi Arabia’s massive spending on several superstars.