"Big L", "Replace him with Casemiro" - Fans react as Cristiano Ronaldo led Al-Nassr sell on-loan player to French club

Fans had mixed feelings after Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr decided to sell one of their high-profile acquisitions to Ligue 1 club, Stade Rennais. The 29-year-old had joined the Knights of Najd in 2023 with a strong reputation of being a solid enforcer, but could not deliver what was expected of him.

Fans took to social media, sharing some rather surprisingly mixed reactions on Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr parting ways with their midfielder, considering his extremely less time on the pitch in the club's colors. Below are some of those reactions from X users on the outgoing Seko Fofana:

One fan wrote:

"BIG L, he was one of the best the last year in 2023."

Another added:

"Replace him with Casemiro"

"Lmaoo Saudi is some joke thing," chimed in another fan.

One account posted:

"Why y'all don't sign a good players to compete in the league?"

Another tweeted:

"That means we get money? Meaning we could potentially bring someone else any talisca news any players that we could sign as you might now many players would be free agents any rumors?"

"Was such a great player but sad it didn’t work at Al Nassr..wish him the best in future," posted another.

One user wrote:

"The start of our downfall. 🕊️"

While another wrote:

"This means Al Nassr gets to sign Casemiro with the now open foreign spot?"

Seko Fofana had joined Al-Nassr from RC Lens in 2023 on a three-year deal for a reported fee of €25 million. However, he did not have the expected impact at the Knight of Najd, making a paltry 19 appearances across all competitions, registering two goals and one assist.

Fofana was sent on a six-month loan to Al-Ettifaq from Al-Nassr in January 2024, and then on a one-year loan in August 2024. He made 29 appearances while making four goal contributions during that tenure.

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Seko Fofana had once talked about 'likable and simple' Cristiano Ronaldo

Seko Fofana had once revealed how Cristiano Ronaldo behaved outside the pitch upon joining Al-Nassr back in 2023. The Frenchman, who had joined the Knights of Najd along with a flurry of high-profile names to Saudi Arabia, had waxed lyrical about the Portuguese icon.

Talking about the off-field persona of one of the best footballers in the world, he had said:

"He (Cristiano Ronaldo) is very likable and simple. In the evening, we talk about everything - nutrition, work, life in general. You find yourself talking with Cristiano. It's funny."

Fofana also talked about Ronaldo's insatiable hunger to always suceed and be the best.

"It's crazy that legend Ronaldo has five Ballons d'Or, and, yet, when he's not in the gym, he doesn't feel good."

Fofana's partnership on the pitch yielded excellent results for the club as the duo played 17 matches together, winning 14 of them. They lost two and drew one match, with Ronaldo scoring one goal off an assist from Fofana.