Bento Krepski Reveals Cristiano Ronaldo Influence in Al-Nassr Move
Brazilian goalkeeper Bento Krepski has openly acknowledged that the chance to play alongside football icon Cristiano Ronaldo was a major factor in his decision to join Al-Nassr last summer. Despite reportedly having an offer from Al-Ittihad, another prominent Saudi Pro League club, Bento chose Al-Nassr, highlighting the allure of Ronaldo and other international stars at the club as pivotal in his choice.
"It weighed a little. I had an offer from Ittihad, we talked about it, but when I found out that Al Nassr was interested, I prioritized Cristiano more. There’s Otávio, Brozovic, the foreigners who were here. It was easy to make the decision afterwards. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to play with him," Bento stated (via ge globo).
Bento also mentioned the presence of other established foreign players like Otavio and Marcelo Brozovic at Al-Nassr as further solidifying his decision to move to Riyadh. He signed a four-year contract with Al-Nassr on July 17, 2024, arriving from Athletico Paranaense after four seasons with the Brazilian club. The transfer fee for the 25-year-old was reported to be around €18 million.
Initially, Bento admitted that a move to Saudi Arabia wasn’t his primary desire, with Europe being his preferred destination. He revealed an interest from Inter Milan but ultimately, the opportunity to join Al-Nassr and play with Ronaldo proved too compelling.
"I knew about the Arabs’ interest even before the Copa América, but I told my agents that I didn’t want to hear it, that Europe was the preferred option. After the Copa América, this episode with Inter Milan happened. I didn’t really want to come to Arabia, you know? Moving so suddenly to make a dream come true…"
"I didn’t expect it. I talked to my family, I talked to the people from the national team, they said I would stay on their radar, and after I made the decision, I was very happy. Things went very well, they evolved a lot."
Since joining Al-Nassr, Bento has established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, taking over from Nawaf Al-Aqidi. His performances have been impressive, keeping 12 clean sheets in 38 appearances across all competitions this season. This strong start to his Al-Nassr career demonstrates the value he brings to the team, alongside the star power of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al-Nassr Set for Al-Hilal Clash in Saudi Pro League
Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo are gearing up for their next Saudi Pro League fixture against local rivals Al-Hilal on Friday, April 4th. This highly anticipated match follows the international break which saw Ronaldo away on international duty. Al-Nassr’s last game before the break was a 3-1 victory over Al-Kholood on March 15th.
A win against Al-Hilal is crucial for Al-Nassr’s ambitions in the Saudi Pro League title race. Currently, they sit third in the league standings with 51 points from 25 matches. They trail league leaders Al-Ittihad by 10 points and Al-Hilal, who are second, by six points.
Key details about the upcoming match:
- Teams: Al-Nassr vs Al-Hilal
- Competition: Saudi Pro League (SPL)
- Date: Friday, April 4th
- Significance: Crucial for Al-Nassr’s title aspirations.
The previous league encounter between these two sides ended in a 1-1 draw at Al-Awwal Park, with Anderson Talisca and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic finding the net. All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo to lead Al-Nassr to victory in this significant derby. Despite his age, the Portuguese superstar maintains a prolific scoring record, boasting 28 goals and four assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season.
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