Cristiano Ronaldo to reunite with Portuguese teammate Samu Costa as Al Nassr reportedly set to end deal

Cristiano Ronaldo preparing to return to Al Nasr following his run to the 2026 World Cup, aiming to defend their Saudi Pro League title after a title-winning campaign in 2025-26. To keep the momentum going, the Saudi powerhouse is strengthening its platform according to confirmation In Portugal teammate Samu Costa.

According to Saudi media Arriyadiyah, RCD Mallorca confirmed the completion of Costa’s transfer to Al Nasr. Although an official transfer fee has not been disclosed, the Portuguese midfielder will join Ronaldo in Riyadh for the 2026-2027 season, becoming the latest international to join the legendary striker in the Gulf.

Mallorca’s press officer Hector Martin confirmed the deal in an official statement to Saudi media: “The deal between Mallorca and Al Nassr has been completedand a final agreement has been reached for the transfer of Samu Costa, after the Saudi club outbid Germany’s RB Leipzig and other European offers.“

A product of the SC Braga academy, Costa spent time with UD Almeria before moving to Mallorca, establishing himself as a reliable player in La Liga. Despite Mallorca suffering a painful relegation at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, the 25-year-old midfielder has been a lone bright spot. playing in 36 games while scoring seven goals and two assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo #7 and Samu Costa #24 during Portugal training.

His strong domestic form earned him a call-up to Roberto Martinez’s Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup, where he came on for 20 minutes from the bench in a -0 group stage tie with Colombia. Replacing PSG star Vitinha in the 70th minute, Costa provided physical balance with a double pivot, a box-to-box role he is now expected to replicate in Saudi Arabia.

look again

Cristiano Ronaldo is awaiting Al-Nassr’s next transfer after Jhon Duran’s Benfica switch, but one big problem remains.

Alongside Bundesliga interest from RB Leipzig, fellow Saudi Arabian Al Diriyah have also made a strong push for his signature. However, Ronaldo’s presence in Riyadh, which previously helped lure Joao Felix, has once again proved successful as Al Nassr expands its Portuguese squad ahead of the new season.

Where does Samu Costa fit in the Al Nassr list?

With Ange Postecoglou stepping in as head coach after the departure of Jorge Jesus, Al Nassr’s tactical planning for the 2026-27 season is still a work in progress. The Australian manager favors an aggressive 4-3-3 formationfundamental during his time at Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur, and Nottingham Forest, moving away from the 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 systems employed by Jesus.

While Ronaldo’s influence undoubtedly helped grease the wheels of the move, Costa’s arrival speaks to the urgent vacancy left by Marcelo Brozovicwho left the club after his contract expired in June. Whether Postecoglou uses two or three midfielders, Costa is expected to slot straight into the starting XI alongside Brazilian midfielder Angelo to bolster Al Nassr’s engine room.

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