Ronaldo is not 25 years old: Algeria coach on Al-Nassr’s tactics
Cristiano Ronaldo has been making waves in the football world since his move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in December 2022. The Portuguese superstar has been expected to lead the team to success, but his performances on the pitch have been underwhelming to say the least. And now, Algeria coach Noureddine Zekri has weighed in on the situation, stating that Ronaldo is no longer 25 years old and therefore shouldn’t be expected to perform defensive roles.
In an interview with News18, Zekri criticized Al-Nassr’s tactics, saying that the team should be focusing on signing players who can serve Ronaldo, rather than trying to make him do everything himself. “Ronaldo is no longer 25 years old, he’s no longer the same player,” Zekri said. “He’s a great goal-scorer, but he’s not the player who can play 90 minutes and also defend. He needs players who can serve him, who can give him the ball in the right positions.”
Zekri’s comments come after Ronaldo’s struggles to adapt to Al-Nassr’s team dynamics. The 38-year-old has scored only a handful of goals for his new team, and has often looked isolated and frustrated on the pitch. Zekri believes that Al-Nassr’s failure to sign the right players to support Ronaldo is the main reason for his struggles.
“Al-Nassr could’ve won titles if they had followed this logic, but they went to sign [striker Jhon Duran],” Zekri said. “Duran is a great player, but he’s not the player who can serve Ronaldo. Ronaldo needs players who can play with him, who can give him the ball and create chances for him.”
Zekri’s comments have sparked a debate about the role of veterans in modern football. While many teams are opting to sign younger players who can play 90 minutes and defend, Zekri believes that experienced players like Ronaldo still have a place in the game.
“Ronaldo is still a great player, but he’s not the same player he was 10 years ago,” Zekri said. “He’s not the player who can play 90 minutes, but he’s still a great goal-scorer. He needs players who can serve him, who can give him the ball and create chances for him.”
Zekri’s comments come as a surprise, given that he is the coach of the Algerian national team, and not a direct competitor of Al-Nassr. However, his insight into the game and his willingness to speak truth to power have made him a respected figure in the football world.
In conclusion, Zekri’s comments serve as a reminder that even the greatest players in the world need support and service from their teammates. While Ronaldo may still be able to score goals, he is no longer the player who can do everything himself. Al-Nassr would do well to take Zekri’s advice and sign players who can serve Ronaldo, rather than trying to make him do everything himself.
