Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr reveal stance on signing 27-year-old striker from Turkish giants amid recent rumors: Reports

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have officially responded to the transfer rumors regarding Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri. The 27-year-old Moroccan joined Sarı Kanaryalar from Spanish giants Sevilla in July 2024 for a reported transfer fee of €19.5 million (via Transfermarkt).

En-Nesyri had a sluggish start with the Turkish outfit but slowly adapted to life in his new club. In 24 games played for Fenerbahce across competitions, the 27-year-old has scored nine goals and laid out three assists. He has scored three goals in his last two games, which includes strikes against Basaksehir and Eyupspor.

Recently, rumors from the Gulf media and various Al-Nassr tabloids suggested that the Cristiano Ronaldo-led club wanted to add En-Nesyri to their lineup. However, the club's media advisor Saeed Abu Dahesh has rejected rumors of the the Knights of Najd trying to sign the Moroccan. He said (via @nexustransfer on X):

"We are not interested in An-Nasyri." (translated from Turkish by Google)

Youssef En-Nesyri became famous for scoring the match-winning goal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. In the 42nd minute, En-Nesyri leaped to head a cross by Yahia Attiyat Allah and found the back of the net. Despite Portugal's 12 shots on target, Ronaldo's men couldn't find the net and got eliminated that night.

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Former Argentine goalkeeper Hago Gatti has picked Al-Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo over compatriot Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona v Juventus: Group G - UEFA Champions League - Source: Getty

Former Argentine goalkeeper Hago Gatti has picked Cristiano Ronaldo over Argentine genius Lionel Messi. The two superstars of the game have maintained an unparalleled duopoly over football for the past two decades, scoring over 1700 goals between them (combined) and winning 13 Ballon d'Ors (eight for Messi while five for Ronaldo).

In a recent interview with La Nacion, 80-year-old Hago Gutti waxed lyrical about Ronaldo's penchant for seeking challenges despite being allegedly less gifted than Lionel Messi. He said (via SPORTbible):

"Today, he’s already one less. He’s playing country-club soccer in the United States. It’s tougher playing there [in the Saudi Pro League]. Everyone plays there. They chase you; they’ll kill you. Cristiano, even limited, is a phenomenon. Limited, he’s better than Messi."

"And he’s limited because he doesn’t have Messi’s natural talent, but he played for the best teams in the world. Where did Messi play? Barca and the Argentina national team. Messi never challenged himself by playing for other teams, in other countries. And he had the opportunities, you know?"

Ronaldo and Messi have shared the pitch a total of 36 times in their career, with the latter emerging victorious 16 times. Ronaldo, meanwhile, has won 11 with nine ending in a stalemate.