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Alnasr

Laporte 'would listen to call' from Real Madrid

The LaLiga champions currently only have one fit centre-back after Eder Militao suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that requires surgery against Osasuna last weekend.

David Alaba is still recovering from a knee operation last December, while they are also light at right-back, with Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez also sidelined.

Madrid are reportedly interested in signing Laporte, who moved to the Saudi Pro League from Manchester City in August 2023 and has made nine appearances in the competition so far this season.

The defender won five Premier League titles while in England, as well as two FA Cups, three EFL Cups and the Champions League, while he was also part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024 in July.

When asked how he would feel about a potential move to Madrid, he told El Larguero: "I've read the same things as everybody else. I would listen to the call. Obviously, you don’t look down on teams like Real Madrid.

"I've said it many times, my idea is to return to Europe. I went there [to Saudi Arabia] to play football, not to do other things.

"So far it hasn't been bad for me as while I've been there. I've won a European Championship, which is the most beautiful thing that has happened in my career."

Meanwhile, Tottenham full-back Pedro Porro has also seen his name linked with Los Blancos amid their recent injury problems.

He has played all but three minutes in the Premier League this season and has made the second-most interceptions (15) and tackles (25), while nobody in the squad has made more blocks (five).

His tally of 76 crosses is also a team-high, and he says his main focus is on the job in front of him.

"That one of the best clubs in the world notices me means that I'm doing my job well at my club," he said. "But it's not just my name that is being linked, there are others.

"My friends send me those rumours, but I'm focused on my job, and I cannot be distracted by that."

Ospina fractures elbow as Al Nassr draw last game before Ronaldo's debut

Al Nassr are preparing for Ronaldo's Saudi Pro League bow at home to Ettifaq in their next match.

But they head into that January 22 game on the back of a goalless draw at Al Shabab.

Although the result maintained a three-point gap between league leaders Al Nassr and their third-placed hosts, it came at a cost.

Goalkeeper Ospina, who starred in Europe with Nice, Arsenal and Napoli, faces six weeks out, the team announced.

Ospina has been a key part of an Al Nassr defence that has conceded a league-low six goals this season. Only Al Shabab's Kim Seung-gyu can better his seven clean sheets.

Ronaldo Al Nassr debut delayed due to phone smash ban

The ban was handed out in November in relation to an incident in the Premier League game between Everton and Manchester United last season. Ronaldo slapped a phone out of the hand of a 14-year-old Everton fan as he stormed off the pitch following the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was unveiled by Al Nassr on Tuesday after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Saudi Arabian club.

After Ronaldo's move was confirmed, it was reported Al Nassr were considering defying the ban and were willing to pay any fine imposed by FIFA as a result.

However, the 37-year-old did not feature in head coach Rudi Garcia's team for Friday's match, suggesting Ronaldo will have to wait at least until January 22 to make his bow for the club in the home clash with Al Ettifaq.

Ronaldo concedes he 'can't think long term anymore'

Ronaldo, who has scored the most goals in history, is still starring for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while he is a regular starter for Portugal under Roberto Martinez.

The former Real Madrid superstar turns 40 in February, though is showing no signs of slowing down and has already scored 10 goals for his club this season.

He also hit the 900-career goals mark when he netted for his country against Croatia in September, and has since added two more international strikes to his vast collection.

Ronaldo has publicly set out his aim to net 1,000 goals before he retires, but he knows short-term targets are now the order of the day in the twilight of his career.

"I now face my life as living in the moment. I can't think long term anymore," Ronaldo said after receiving the Platinum Quinas, the highest honour available to Portuguese players.

"I said that I wanted to reach 1,000 goals, but it seems that now everything is easy, just last month I reached 900.

"It's about living in the moment, seeing how my legs will respond in the next few years. If I reach 1,000 goals, that's fine, but if I don't, I'm already the player with the most goals in history."

FPF president Fernando Gomes hailed Ronaldo as "an ambassador for Portugal".

Ronaldo also took the chance to air his disappointment at players who chose not to represent Portugal.

He said: "I believe there is nothing better than representing the national team. Coming to play for the national team, and representing the entire country — all its culture, your children, your mother, your father, your best friends — that is why I often feel disappointed with some players who do not want to represent the national team.

"Time flies, and there is nothing better than playing. I hear many people say that Portugal is a small country. Portugal is a great country. We need to think that way; we must believe that, regardless of the country's size, we have everything: an extraordinary country, the infrastructures we have, the stadiums, the magnificent coaches we have.

"The potential of these players, the stars we have, we just need to refine a few edges and believe that one day we will be great."

Ronaldo's Portugal host Poland in the Nations League on Friday before taking on Croatia three days later.