Cristiano is the true issue facing Al-Nassr 2025

Naif Al-Qadi, the former CEO of Al-Ahli Jeddah, recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing challenges facing Al-Nassr, particularly regarding the influence of the Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo. According to Al-Qadi, the key issue for the team is not necessarily their overall performance, but rather the presence of Ronaldo himself, which has caused significant complications within the squad.

Al-Nassr’s recent 2-1 loss to Al-Orouba in the 23rd round of the Saudi Pro League has left them with 47 points, placing them third in the standings. This defeat has further highlighted the difficulties the team is experiencing. Al-Qadi, speaking on the Saudi sports channel program "Fi Al-90," explained that the team's structure is challenging due to the presence of such a high-profile player like Ronaldo. He stated, “Al-Nassr’s composition is difficult... when you have a player like Cristiano Ronaldo on the team, it’s hard for him to sit on the bench.”

Al-Qadi continued to elaborate on the problem, suggesting that the situation would be different if Ronaldo were replaced by a player like John Durán. In such a scenario, with Ronaldo placed on the bench, Al-Qadi believes that the team could perform better as a whole. However, he also acknowledged the potential fallout from such a decision. “Having a player of Cristiano Ronaldo’s stature on the bench would create a lot of confusion,” he remarked, pointing out the challenges of managing a superstar of Ronaldo's caliber. He added that while Ronaldo might not need much in terms of involvement, he only requires balls delivered to him in the penalty area to make an impact.

Despite these concerns about the squad dynamics, Al-Qadi expressed his views on the coaching situation, particularly with coach Pioli’s recent results. Although Pioli has faced difficulties in recent matches, Al-Qadi is not in favor of firing him at this point. He reasoned that Pioli had not been with the team from the start of the season and that the multiple injuries to key players had made his job even more challenging. According to Al-Qadi, the struggles of Al-Nassr cannot be solely attributed to the coach, and a managerial change might not solve the deeper issues the team faces.

In conclusion, Al-Qadi’s analysis of Al-Nassr's current state highlights the complexities of managing a team with a superstar like Cristiano Ronaldo. While his presence brings global attention, it also creates tensions regarding team dynamics and decision-making. Al-Qadi suggests that the real challenge lies in finding a balance between maximizing Ronaldo’s talents while maintaining overall team harmony and performance. Furthermore, he believes that changes in the coaching staff are not the immediate solution, as external factors like injuries are also contributing to the team’s struggles.