Real Madrid eyeing move for Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate as they look to strengthen squad in January - Reports

Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate Aymeric Laporte. As claimed by Diario AS (via Al Nassr Zone on X), Los Blancos view the Spain international as a solution to their injury crisis at the heart of the defense.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have been stretched at the back with David Alaba out with a cruciate ligament rupture. Alaba's absence has meant Los Blancos have been left with just three natural centre-back options.

Real Madrid have regularly turned to Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger at the heart of the defence. Jesus Vallejo has been used scarcely and has performed pretty poorly.

Ancelotti has even had to use Aurelien Tchouameni as a makeshift centre-back and it is hardly a surprise that they are looking to bolster their backline in January. Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr teammate Aymeric Laporte is understood to be an option they are looking at for the winter transfer window.

Laporte was born in France but represents Spain on the international stage and has been capped 39 times for La Roja. He was a part of the Spanish sides that won the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and the UEFA European Championship in 2024.

The centre-back joined Al-Nassr from Manchester City in the summer of 2023 in a reported £23.6 million deal. He has made 50 appearances for Cristiano Ronaldo's side so far helping the Riyadh-based club finish runners-up in King's Cup.

Laporte is still only 30 years of age and was once regarded as one of the best centre-backs on the planet. He made 180 appearances for Manchester City and won 13 trophies during his time at the Etihad.

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Revisiting Real Madrid superstar's pick between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in 'GOAT' debate

Real Madrid legend Luka Modric picked Lionel Messi ahead of his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo when being asked to pick between the two. The two football greats have split the football world in two parts over the years but Modric has named Messi as the 'GOAT'.

During the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder named Lionel Messi as the greatest player to ever grace the game. Speaking after Croatia's 3-0 loss against Argentina in the semi-final, the one-time Ballon d'Or winner said, as quoted by GiveMeSport:

"I hope he (Messi) will win this World Cup, he is the best player in history and he deserves it. He is playing a great World Cup, he shows quality and greatness in every game."

Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric shared the pitch as Real Madrid teammates for six years. They made 222 appearances together for Los Blancos and had 16 joint goal participations.