Al-Nassr boss Rudi Garcia has appeared to row back on his concerns about the incorporation of Cristiano Ronaldo into his team.
Garcia had expressed his concerns over Ronaldo's early integration at his new club after completing his transfer to the Saudi Arabian club last month. The comments did not go down well with the club’s fanbase as pressure grew last week as Al-Nassr failed to win in successive matches.
Garcia, 58, was instilled as the club’s boss last summer and has guided the club to the top of the standings in Saudi Arabia and on course for their first league title since 2019 and just their second in eight years.
However, the arrival of Ronaldo cranked up expectations and the need to accommodate him into the side and make him the best-paid player in world football during the middle of their season did not initially bring positive results.
Garcia had initially appeared to show frustration at the Portuguese’s showings. After Ronaldo missed a gilt-edged chance during a game, Garcia lamented: "One of the things that changed the course of the match was Cristiano's missed opportunity in the first half."
He had gone on to vent his frustration at both Ronaldo and his teammates for their lack of understanding, with Garcia leaning on the need for all players involved to adjust their game to improve as a team.
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“It is very important that the players play normally and don't always try to give Cristiano the ball,” the boss had analysed after their loss to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup last month. “I told them they had to make the right decisions on the pitch.
“Obviously, when Cristiano or Anderson Talisca are alone and ask for the ball, we have to give them the ball. These two players are capable of making a difference. We have to work on it, have one of them in the area and maybe the other will play outside the area.”
However, Garcia appeared to take a different tone after Ronaldo’s four-goal haul in Thursday night’s win over Al-Wehda. “Ronaldo has reached a great stage of homogeneity and harmony with his teammates,” Garcia said after the match.
“Over time, his teammates realized what he wanted and when he will score. I think it was a good night for Cristiano Ronaldo because he scored four goals.”
Ronaldo's four goals against Al-Wehda means he has scored five goals in his first three Saudi Pro League appearances. His overall career tally of 503 means he is only behind Pele (604), Romario (544), Josef Bican (518) and Ferenc Puskas (514) on the all-time list of league goalscorers.
