22 August 2023 , 18:40
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Al-Nassr could be forced to offload Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate Anderson Talisca amid restrictions on foreign players in Asia's AFC Champions League.
Brazilian star Talisca signed a new deal with the Saudi club in April, having impressed since joining from Guangzhou Evergrande in 2021. He scored 20 league goals in his first season and another 20 last term, despite losing penalty duties to mid-season arrival Ronaldo.
Al-Nassr finished second in the league last term, earning them a spot in the AFC Champions League play-off round, where Talisca scored twice in a comeback victory over Shabab Al-Ahli. Qualification for that competition could leave them with issues, though, with only five non-Asian players allowed to feature in tournament squads.
According to Sport, Talisca could be the odd man out as Al-Nassr prepare for continental football this season. Champions League rules dictate that clubs are only allowed five players born outside AFC countries, plus one further foreign player from within the AFC confederation.
This summer, Al-Nassr spent big to add to their ranks. Sadio Mane has joined from Bayern Munich, with Seko Fofana, Alex Telles and Marcelo Brozovic all also moving to Mrsool Park.
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With those four on the club's books, there's only room for one more foreign star for their continental campaign, and that honour will go to Ronaldo. However, Talisca was picked to start in the play-off game against Emirati side Shabab Al-Ahli, scoring Al-Nassr's opener and adding another in added time in a 4-2 win.
What's next for Al-Nassr? Share your thoughts in the comments section
Anderson Talisca's future is in doubt (AFP via Getty Images)Al-Nassr have started their domestic season slowly with back-to-back league defeats as they look to bed in their new players. A goal from Mane wasn't enough to stave off defeat at Al-Ettifaq, while Al-Taawon got the better of the big spenders in gameweek two.
They aren't the only Saudi team facing this foreign player issue going into the 2023-24 season. Al-Hilal are also in the Champions League after winning last season's King Cup and have been similarly busy in the transfer market.
Brazil and former Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is the highest-profile new arrival to be announced by Jorge Jesus' team, but he's far from the only new arrival. Bono, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Malcom have also joined the club, leaving them with decisions to make.
Al-Ittihad, who won the Saudi Pro League last season, have added reinforcements of their own in the form of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, Fabinho and Jota. Former Celtic star Jota has been tipped to leave after just a month, though, despite costing £25m.
As for Talisca's future, a return to former club Besiktas has been mentioned but has quietened down of late. The Turkish side have already added reinforcements this summer, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Milot Rashica among the new faces to arrive.