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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Casey Evans

Al-Nassr players given Cristiano Ronaldo instructions by manager

Cristiano Ronaldo has finally made his competitive debut for Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League club's manager couldn't be happier.

Al-Nassr side signed Ronaldo on a free transfer in January after he left Manchester United by mutual consent. The 37-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in the Middle East which will see him earn a reported £175million per season - making him the highest-paid player in the history of the sport.

According to ESPN, Al-Nassr are already open to extending Ronaldo's contract further if the forward wants to prolong his stay in Saudi Arabia.

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The report also stated that Ronaldo had arrived at Al-Nassr with a list of 'best practices' that he wanted the club to implement to improve standards. The club are hoping that the experience and expertise he has picked up during his time at United, Real Madrid and Juventus will help them become a powerhouse domestically and also in the Asian Champions League.

Ronaldo made his debut against Ettifaq and although his new side won 1-0, he did not score, with Anderson Talisca bagging the winner. But Al-Nassr manager Rudi Garcia - who has previously managed Roma, Marseille and Lyon amongst others - was happy with the Portugal international's contribution and has even told his players to pass to the former United man more often.

"I told the players they need to make the right choices on the pitch," Garcia said. "Obviously Cristiano Ronaldo is asking for the ball and we have to give him the ball because he's the player who can make the difference. We need to work a lot on the positions of everyone. Sometimes we had crosses but not enough people in the box. We need to work on that."

Ronaldo is in action again on Thursday as Al-Nassr face Al-Ittihad in the semi-final of the Saudi Super Cup.

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