Real Madrid sporting director joins Ronaldo in Al Nassr

Real Madrid and Spain legend Fernando Hierro has joined Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr after being appointed as the club’s sporting director.

The 56-year-old had been sporting director at Mexican side Chivas since October 2022 but stepped down last month and has taken up the role in Saudi Arabia.

ESPN report that this is not the first time Al Nassr have tried to snap up the Spaniard, but have returned with a better offer and eventually got their man.

Hierro played for Real Madrid from 1989-2003, making 601 appearances for Los Blancos and scoring 127 goals from centre-back and holding midfield.

His immense stint in the Spanish capital say him win five La Liga titles and the Champions League three times, before moving to Qatari side Al Rayyan in 2003 and then finishing his career at Bolton Wanderers in the 2004-05 season.

Hierro has held varying roles since retirement from playing, working as sporting director for Spain, then being thrown into managing the national team at the 2018 World Cup after the unexpected departure of Julen Lopetegui just before the tournament.

He also had a brief spell in charge of Oviedo and worked as a coach under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid from 2014-15, when Ronaldo was still at the club.

An Al Nassr statement read: ‘Following the signing, Hierro sent special remarks via the club’s platforms to AlNassr supporters, expressing his excitement about being a part of the club’s project and his great delight with this step.’

Hierro will be tasked with helping Al Nassr overturn the dominance of Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

The team managed by Jorge Jesus finished the league season unbeaten, with 96 points from 34 games, 14 points ahead of Al Nassr in second.

Al Hilal also beat Ronaldo’s team on penalties to win the King Cup, leaving the Portuguese superstar in tears.