Which soccer stars play for Al-Nassr, Inter Miami’s rival? Ronaldo, Mané, Ospina, Brozovic...

One of the teams that bolstered its roster significantly in the Saudi Pro League since the beginning of 2023 is Al-Nassr, a club that welcomed Cristiano Ronaldo just over a year ago and subsequently strengthened with top-notch players to compete with rivals Al Hilal. On Thursday, they will face Inter Miami, featuring Messi, Suárez and co., as part of the franchise’s preseason preparations.

Managed by Luís Castro, the team currently holds the second position in the Saudi league. Similar to the squad led by Jorge Jesus (Al Hilal), they promise to be a formidable opponent for Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino’s men. It is important for the MLS team to put in a strong performance to build confidence as they approach a campaign filled with challenges.

While it is true that Cristiano’s absence will be felt in the spectacle, as fans won’t get to witness the so called ‘Last Dance’ against Messi, other Al-Nassr figures aim to make this face-off a highly interesting duel.

Notable players in Al-Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo:

Sadio Mané

The Senegalese player, formerly with Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool, now plays for the Riyadh club. Despite being a crucial element for the team, he won’t participate in the match against the MLS franchise as he just concluded his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday and may consider being available for the friendly against Al Hilal on Thursday, January 8.

Aymeric Laporte

The Spanish international and former player for Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City is another key figure in the team headlined by the Portuguese star. Despite recent statements against the football project in Saudi Arabia, Laporte has integrated well into the four-defender lineup, bringing a higher quality to Luís Castro’s squad.

Marcelo Brozović

The Croatian player, known for his mental and technical skills, excels in his position. He was a crucial player for Inter Milan in the 5-3-2 formation for several seasons. Additionally, he achieved the runner-up position in the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the third place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, both alongside his national teammate Luka Modrić.

David Ospina

The experienced Colombian goalkeeper returns to Al-Nassr after recovering from an elbow injury and he was also prevented from registering due to the high number of foreign players in the roster. Now, having recuperated and participated in friendly matches with Colombia at the end of 2023, Seko Fofana’s departure to Al-Ettifaq opens the doors for Ospina to earn a spot.