'God willing...': Al-Nassr Coach Luis Castro Expresses Optimism About Retaining Key Star Player

The time has finally come for one of football's greatest players, Cristiano Ronaldo, to return to action. Al-Nassr will take the true captain back to the football pitch when the Saudi Super Cup gets underway. On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the runners-up of the SPL 2023–2024 will play Al-Taawoun. Sadio Mane will be seen in action with CR7, and it is expected that he will support him and his colleagues as they triumph. 

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Al-Nassr’s head coach Luis Castro quashes rumours of Sadio Mane’s exit from the club

Luis Castro, Al-Nassr manager of Cristiano Ronaldo, has discounted rumours that the team would sell Sadio Mane from Senegalese nationality. Having paid €30 million, the former Liverpool player moved from Bayern Munich to the Saudi Arabian team last summer and has spent a year in the country.

Mane, who under Jurgen Klopp excelled for Liverpool from 2016 to 2022, tallied 120 goals and 42 assists in 269 games. Having scored 19 goals and given 11 assists in 46 games throughout the 2023–24 season, his debut season at Al-Nassr was similarly outstanding.

Castro voiced his hope in Mane's performance as the Knights of Najd are ready to meet Al-Taawoun in the Super Cup semi-final on Wednesday, August 14. Castro underlined during a news conference before the game his conviction that Sadio Mane will be essential for Al-Nassr in the next season.

“He is a Al Nassr player and is with us. God willing, he will help the team by scoring goals," 

Luis Castro intends to incorporate Sadio Mane as a crucial component in his tactical approach for the upcoming season, to secure the league championship while maintaining a harmonious dependence on Cristiano Ronaldo inside the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo, widely considered one of the most exceptional football players of all time, has accumulated a total of 759 goals and 238 assists in 1,013 matches for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus and Al-Nassr. Despite being 39 years old, the player who has won the Ballon d'Or five times remains a highly influential player for the Saudi Arabian club. Since joining Al-Nassr on December 31, 2022, he has scored 58 goals and provided 15 assists in 64 appearances.