Ronaldo makes final Man United transfer request as Al Nasser target duo

Cristiano Ronaldo has asked Manchester United for a favour following Al-Nassr’s defeat to Al-Hilal on penalties in the King Cup of Champions final. The 39-year-old striker was heartbroken and broke down in tears as he ended his second season in Saudi Arabia without any silverware.

Aleksandar Mitrovic fired Al-Hilal ahead in the opening minutes before Ayman Yahya pulled back an equaliser shortly before full-time. After a nervy period of extra-time, the tie went to a shoot-out.

Despite Ronaldo’s best efforts, converting Al-Nassr’s second spot-kick with aplomb, his side lost 5-4. Upon the final whistle, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner sunk into the turf and broke into a flood of tears.

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Unable to contain his disappointment, he had to be helped off the pitch by his teammates. As he waited for his runners-up medal, Ronaldo was pictured in the dugout crying his eyes out.

Not only did Al-Hilal beat Al-Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title by some distance, but they also completed the domestic double over their rivals in the King Cup of Champions final. Eager to finally get his hands on some silverware in the Middle East, Ronaldo looks set to raid Manchester United and Real Madrid for reinforcements.

According to Spanish publication Marca, the Portugal international has approached Casemiro regarding a potential move. The report states that Nacho Fernandez has also received a call from Ronaldo in recent days.

Casemiro, who sees his contract at Old Trafford expire in June 2026, featured 32 times across all competitions for Manchester United this season, helping Erik ten Hag’s side win the FA Cup. Despite getting his hands on some silverware, the 32-year-old midfielder struggled to impress and he often looked out of his depth.

In fact, shortly after the Red Devils’ 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in May, Jamie Carragher told Casemiro to ‘call it a day’ and join the MLS or Saudi Pro League. Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender said: “I said at half-time he’s got to bring Casemiro off.

“I know he’s got kids on the bench but I think Casemiro, deadly serious, should know himself tonight as an experienced player that he should only have another three games left at the top level. The next two league games and the [FA] Cup final.

“And he should be thinking, ‘I need to go to the MLS or Saudi’. I’m deadly serious. He’s ageing, the people around him need to tell him this has to stop. We are watching one of the greats of the modern time playing in one of the best midfields we’ve seen who dominated Europe.

“Him holding, [Toni] Kroos to one side [Luka] Modric to the other was one of the best midfields. Could easily go up against the Barcelona midfield we all loved (with) [Sergio] Busquets, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta. He’s been an absolute great.

“I am nowhere near on a level of what that man has achieved. Champions Leagues, playing for Brazil, playing for Real Madrid. But I always remember something when I retired myself, there was a saying I always remember as a footballer, ‘leave the football before the football leaves you’.

“The football has left him at this top level he needs to call it a day at this level of football and move.”