Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr manager risks fallout with superstar by joking he wanted Lionel Messi transfer instead | The Sun

AL-NASSR boss Rudi Garcia has joked he tried to sign Lionel Messi BEFORE sealing a deal for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 58-year-old Frenchman jokingly risked a fallout with new boy Ron.

Ronaldo signed a deal worth a staggering £173million-a-year with the Saudi side after being sacked by Manchester United in November.

In doing so he has become the highest-paid sportsperson of all time.

But Al-Nassr gaffer Garcia hilariously claimed he in fact wanted to sign Ronaldo's great rival Messi following his World Cup exploits.

At a recent press conference Garcia was quizzed on the prospect of signing Ronaldo.

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And he joked: "I tried to take Messi for Al-Nassr first."

The former Roma and Lyon boss then burst out laughing.

Garcia took over as Al-Nassr boss in June and his side are currently top of the Saudi Pro League ahead of Ronaldo's debut.

The axed United forward, 37, could play his first game for his new side against Al-Tai on Thursday.

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Ronaldo has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Saudi outfit, but will on an ambassadorial role once he hangs up his boots for a further five years.

Jubilant Al-Nassr fans were heard chanting "Siuu" during their last game to welcome the superstar to the club.

Messi on the other hand is yet to return to Paris Saint-Germain action after his World Cup triumph.

Ronaldo's 35-year-old rival was named Player of the Tournament in Qatar after lifting the trophy – sparking Garcia to jokingly declare he wanted to sign him.

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