Al-Nassr star makes decision on future after Cristiano Ronaldo row

07 April 2023 , 07:03

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Cristiano Ronaldo and Anderson Talisca have been leading Al-Nassr's title push (Image: Mohammed Saad/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Anderson Talisca has committed his long-term future to Al-Nassr, seemingly showing no hard feelings after his run-in with team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brazilian forward Talisca joined the Saudi club in 2021 after impressive spells in Turkey and China, and hit 20 goals in his first season in Riyadh. He is Al-Nassr's top scorer this term as well, though mid-season arrival Ronaldo is hot on his heels.

Ronaldo's first goal came at the expense of Talisca, with the veteran taking the ball off his team-mate before scoring from the penalty spot. Talisca sent an angry message to his colleague after that incident, but has put it behind him by signing a new contract.

"Talisca is staying," Al-Nassr announced on social media. "He signed a new contract until 2026."

The player himself shared a photo from the contract announcement with the caption "the story continues". His new deal comes during a season in which he has scored 16 goals in 16 league games, plus one in the Saudi Super Cup as Al-Nassr lost to Al-Ittihad in their semi-final.

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Talisca is the joint-highest scorer in the Saudi Pro League, alongside Al-Hilal's former Manchester United striker Odion Ighalo. Ronaldo is already up to fifth in the standings, having found the net 11 times in just nine appearances.

What have you made of Talisca and Ronaldo's relationship? Have your say in the comments section

Anderson Talisca has committed his long-term future to Al-Nassr (Sam Bagnall - AMA/Getty Images)

Al-Nassr remain second in the league, with Al-Ittihad a point clear at the top after losing just once all season. The situation has prompted suggestions manager Rudi Garcia could end up making way for Jose Mourinho, and the relationship between Mourinho and his former Real Madrid charge Ronaldo has been mixed.

“I don't [agree with his methods] but I have to adapt to what is asked of me," Ronaldo said of Mourinho during the manager's first season at the Bernabeu. "This is the way it is. We have a strategy."

While Real Madrid failed to win the Champions League under Mourinho, they had a number of fiery battles for dominance with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona. Reflecting on their time together in 2013, the manager had nothing but praise for his compatriot.

Ronaldo is closing in on Talisca at the top of the goal charts (AFP via Getty Images)

"Ronaldo's an incredible player. It's like Zinedine Zidane for the French, there will be no other. He is incredible, he's a goalscoring machine,” Mourinho said.

"Coaching him was the highlight of my career. He's the most professional player I've ever met. A coach and a player may have their differences at a given time, but it ends there."

Al-Nassr's next two games come away from home, with league trips to bottom-half Al-Fayha and third-placed Al-Hilal. They also remain in the semi-finals of the King Cup, and will host Al-Wehda at Mrsool Park on April 24 with a spot in the final at stake.

Tom Victor