Fenerbahce director keen to sign one other player from Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr after sealing deal for Anderson Talisca: Reports

According to Talha Arslan, Fenerbahce director Mario Branco is trying to sign another one of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammates after securing the services of Anderson Talisca. The Istanbul-based side are keen on signing Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte to strengthen their bid for the Turkish Super Lig title in the second half of the season.

Laporte has been at the Riyadh-based club since arriving from Manchester City in 2023 for a reported €27 million fee. He has played 56 games for the Saudi Pro-League club in that time and could be set for a return to European football after less than two years in Asia.

Laporte is one of the stars who joined the SPL from Europe after Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr in January 2023. He has played alongside the Portuguese superstar at Al-Nassr 50 times, and the pair have combined for one goal in those matches. They average 2.3 points per game.

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"He doesn’t have Messi’s natural talent" - Former Argentine international picks Al-Nassr Superstar Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel Messi

Former Argentina goalkeeper Hugo Gatti has picked Al-Nassr superstar Cristiano Ronaldo over his rival Lionel Messi in the GOAT debate. The pair are two of the greatest and most prolific players in the sport's history, bagging 13 Ballons d'Or awards between them.

In an interview with La Nacion, the 80-year-old pointed out Ronaldo's tendency to seek out new challenges to test himself despite not being as naturally gifted as 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?"

Cristiano Ronaldo, 39, holds the record for the most professional goals in the sport's history, with over 915 goals.