Di Maria ruins Ronaldo as Al Nassr suffer another heavy pre-season friendly defeat

talksport.com, 21 July 2023, 09:20

Angel Di Maria pulled off an amazing piece of skill against his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in a pre-season friendly.

Benfica were 4-1 winners against Al Nassr on Thursday night, with the Saudi Pro League side heavily defeated by a European side yet again.

Di Maria, who last played for Benfica in 2010, sealed a return to the club at the beginning of the month after one season at Juventus.

The Portuguese champions are gearing up to defend their Primeira Liga title with a series of pre-season friendlies.

Southampton and FC Basel had already been defeated before they faced Al Nassr at Estadio Algarve.

Di Maria made his first appearance back at the club, also scoring, and was on hand to get one over his old pal Ronaldo.

Man United were 48 hours from signing the greatest player alive and players couldn't wait

Ronaldo says European leagues have lost quality... as Al Nassr get hammered by Celta Vigo

With Benfica leading 3-1 before half-time, the Argentinian received the ball with his Portuguese opponent rushing towards him.

However, Di Maria evaded the five-time Ballon d'Or winner by delightfully flicking the ball over his head.

Ronaldo still tried to win back possession but could only muster a foul on the winger as he and Al Nassr went on to taste defeat.

It's the second time this week that European opposition have proved too much for the Saudi side after Celta Vigo's 5-0 win on Monday.

Onana confirmed, Silva to leave Fulham, Mahrez medical, Kane won't sign Spurs deal

Souness defends Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia but sends warning to Liverpool captain

Man United confirm signing of 'crazy' Onana, who Guardiola described as a midfielder

Ex-Man United and Everton star says war means he can't watch Premier League

Despite such a result, Ronaldo still insisted that the European leagues have diminished in quality.

"I'm 100 per cent sure I won't return to any European club. I'm 38 years old," he said.

"European football has lost a lot of quality. The only valid one and still doing good is the [English] Premier League. They're way ahead of all the other leagues."

Al Nassr could fall to further defeats though as they prepare for pre-season friendlies against Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.

Read full version: https://talksport.com/football/1506683/angel-di-maria-skill-cristiano-ronaldo-al-nassr/

Al Nassr
Algarve
Angel Di Maria
Basel
Benfica
Celta Vigo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Estadio Algarve
Friendlies
Hamme
Juventus
Madrid
Mari
Play
Primeira Liga
Pro League
Real Madrid
Ronaldo
Saudi Pro League
Southampton

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder Rodri has seemingly opened the door to a future move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Premier League clubs are not renowned for their patience when firing managers, and we've already had our first sacking of 2024/25. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Returning to the Roma hotseat for a third spell in charge, Claudio Ranieri will lead the Giallorossi into Sunday's Serie A showdown with Napoli. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has conceded that Ben White is likely to be out for months rather than weeks after undergoing an operation on his knee. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal expert Charles Watts believes that Gunners new boy Mikel Merino has been "unfairly judged" on some of his performances so far in the 2024-25 campaign. 22 November 2024 talksport.com What would you do if you first big break in football came with your fierce rivals? 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk One of the most unlikely matchups we could have anticipated heading into the 2024 MLS Cup playoffs will transpire on Sunday as Orlando City face Atlanta United in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Inter & Co Stadium. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Lionel Messi's former Barcelona teammate Javier Mascherano is set to be the new head coach of Inter Miami, according to reports. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to kick-start their Premier League campaigns after stalling before the international break, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace convene at Villa Park on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sean Dyche will look to extend his 100% record over Thomas Frank as Everton manager, when Brentford visit Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fourth meets fifth in Saturday's fascinating Premier League battle at the Emirates, as Arsenal welcome Nottingham Forest to the English capital. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking a fifth win from six Premier League home games against Brighton & Hove Albion, Bournemouth host the Seagulls in Saturday's top-flight affair at the Vitality Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City supporters were hoping that November's international break would provide some of the club's senior stars with an opportunity to step up their recovery from injury. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nice, aiming to maintain their current eight-game unbeaten streak in the league, are set to host Strasbourg at the STADIUM on Sunday night for matchday 12 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Chelsea expect to have Cole Palmer fit for this weekend's Premier League encounter against Leicester City. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Pep Guardiola reminded doubters of his commitment to the club by referencing his relegation claim of six months ago. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White will be sidelined for months after undergoing knee surgery. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League have announced that their partnership with IMG will end after 20 years for a new media operation. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City midfielder James McAtee has reportedly been the subject of an "audacious" bid from Leeds United. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying some superb form will meet at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio and Bologna both aim to extend winning streaks in Serie A. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Erling Haaland sent out a warning shot to the Premier League as Manchester City aim to end their four match losing streak. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Enzo Maresca's King Power Stadium reunion takes place on Saturday lunchtime, as Leicester City and Chelsea prepare for battle in the Premier League's first game back after the international break. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final standings in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League groups have now been confirmed, and attention will now begin to switch to the knockout stage and playoff formats of the competition. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have suffered a defeat in their long-running legal battle with the Premier League, who have seen proposed changes to Associated Party Transaction (APT) rules approved by a majority of teams. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides battling against relegation from Ligue 1 are set to come together on Sunday afternoon when Nantes host Le Havre at Stade de la Beaujoire. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes head coach Borja Jimenez will have to make two changes to his starting XI for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raul Asencio is in line to make his full debut for Real Madrid in Sunday's La Liga clash with Leganes. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Michail Antonio's professional career has had plenty of unexpected twists and turns. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.