Cristiano Ronaldo sends message to Rudi Garcia following manager's exit at Al Nassr

Frenchman leaves the club 'by mutual agreement' after less than one year in charge

Cristiano Ronaldo, centre, alongside Rudi Garcia during his official unveiling as an Al Nassr player in January 2023. Garcia was sacked as head coach on April 13. AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo has wished Rudi Garcia well for the future after the Al Nassr manager’s much-anticipated exit from the club was confirmed on Thursday.

The Saudi side, nine-time domestic champions, announced they had parted company with the Frenchman “by mutual agreement”, bringing an end to his eight-and-a-half-month tenure.

Garcia, 59, leaves Nassr second in the Saudi Pro League, with the Riyadh club three points behind Al Ittihad with seven games remaining. He has been replaced, initially at least, by Under 19 manager Dinko Jelicic.

On Thursday, in response to Garcia’s exit, Ronaldo posted on Instagram a picture with the former Roma coach together with a note reading: “Pleasure to have worked with you. Wishing you all the best for the future.”

Nassr, who later posted pictures of Garcia attending the club’s annual iftar and saying goodbye to players, had earlier said in a statement: “Al Nassr can announce that head coach Rudi Garcia has left the club by mutual agreement.

“The board and everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Rudi and his staff for their dedicated work during the past eight months.”

It was reported that Garcia’s tactics had been questioned by some of Nassr’s senior players, including Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who joined the club in December for a deal believed to be worth more than $200 million per year, has scored 11 goals in 10 league matches.

However, Nassr have won only two of their past four top-flight games as they chase a first championship crown in four years. Last time out, they drew 0-0 with Al Feiha, prompting Ronaldo to vent his frustration at full time.

The Portuguese forward, 38, removed his captain’s armband and exchanged seemingly angry words with teammates and opposition players before leaving the pitch.

Nassr are next in action on Tuesday, in the hugely significant derby against current domestic and Asian champions Al Hilal.

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  Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo gestures at the end of the Saudi Pro League football match against Al Feiha at Al Majmaah Stadium in the city of Al Majmaah on April 9, 2023. Nassr were held to a 0-0 draw, putting a dent in their title hopes. AFP

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  Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball against Al Feiha. AFP

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  Cristiano Ronaldo is marked by Al Feiha's Sami Al Khaibari. AFP

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  Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts to a missed chance. AFP

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  Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo is marked by Al Feiha's Mohammed Al Baqawi. AFP

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  Cristiano Ronaldo attempts a shot at goal. AFP

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  Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Al Nassr. AFP

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  Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP

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  Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (C) heads the ball during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Fayha and Al-Nassr at the al-Majmaah stadium in the city of al-Majmaah on April 9, 2023. (Photo by Abdulaziz ALNOMAN / AFP)

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  Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo is marked by Al Feiha's Mukhair Al Rashidi. AFP

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  Al Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball. AFP

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  Cristiano Ronaldo runs with the ball against Al Feiha. AFP

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  Al Feiha's Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic gathers the ball ahead of Nassr's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. AFP