
<p><strong><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a></strong> could soon find himself facing a familiar face in the AFC Champions League, with former Al-Nassr teammate Marcelo Brozovic closing in on a <strong>surprise next chapter in the Gulf</strong>. The Croatian midfielder has been weighing his options since leaving Al-Nassr, and his next move could create an unexpected reunion with Ronaldo on the continental stage.</p>



<p>Brozovic’s future has been the subject of growing speculation in recent weeks, with potential destinations in Europe also discussed. However, the latest developments suggest that <strong>the 33-year-old is preparing to remain in the region</strong>, although his next club is outside the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/saudi-pro-league/">Saudi Pro League</a>.</p>



<p>According to <strong><em>Win Win</em></strong><em> journalist Ismael Mahmoud and journalist Ahmed Ragab</em>, negotiations over the Croatian’s next transfer have reached their final stages. The midfielder is reportedly close to completing a move after becoming a free agent following the end of his <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/">Al-Nassr</a> contract.</p>



<p>Brozovic remains in Riyadh for the time being and is expected to travel next weekend to undergo his medical examination. <strong>The final details are reportedly being completed before contracts are signed</strong>, meaning the transfer could soon become official.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" width="1920" height="1080" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2026/05/21112330/Marcelo-Brozovic-1920x1080.webp" alt="Marcelo Brozovic of Al-Nassr FC during line up prior to the Saudi Pro League match." class="wp-image-645568"><figcaption>Marcelo Brozovic of Al-Nassr FC during line up prior to the Saudi Pro League match.</figcaption></figure>



<p>The situation represents a change from earlier speculation surrounding his future. Brozovic’s agent, Marina Mikulic, recently admitted that the midfielder was still considering his options. <em>“Brozović is currently in Riyadh. We still don’t know what his next destination will be. We are waiting for offers, and we have not been in contact with Al Ittihad or Al Ahli.”</em></p>



<h2>Where will Brozovic reportedly continue his career?</h2>



<p>The mystery surrounding Brozovic’s next club has now largely been solved, with <strong>Qatari powerhouse <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-sadd/">Al Sadd</a> reportedly agreeing a one-season contract with the Croatian, including an option for another year</strong>.</p>



<p>The proposed deal is structured as a <strong>1+1 contract</strong>, allowing Brozovic to remain with Al Sadd beyond the initial campaign if both sides decide to extend the agreement. The move would also keep the experienced midfielder in the Gulf after three seasons in Saudi Arabia.</p>



<p>For Brozovic, it is a significant decision because a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/cristiano-ronaldo-could-face-former-al-nassr-teammate-as-marcelo-brozovic-draws-interest-from-saudi-pro-league-rival/?utm_term=Autofeed&amp;utm_medium=Social&amp;utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1788636114" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saudi stay</a> and a return to Europe had remained a possibility. Italian clubs, including Fiorentina and Lazio, were reportedly linked with the former Inter star, but those options ultimately failed to materialize.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="Brozovic’s 2024 Mastery – AlNassr’s Midfield Maestro! 🧠 أفضل ما قدمه بروزوفيتش مع النصر في عام 2024" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/26drcXfPelg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<h2>When could Ronaldo face his former teammate again?</h2>



<p>The most intriguing aspect of the move for Al-Nassr supporters is what it could mean for Ronaldo. <strong>Al-Nassr is scheduled to face Al Sadd at Al-Awwal Park in the AFC Champions League Elite on November 24</strong>, potentially putting the Portuguese superstar against his former midfield partner.</p>



<p>Brozovic and Ronaldo spent three seasons together in Riyadh after the Croatian arrived from Inter in 2023. Their partnership became an important part of Al-Nassr’s midfield, with Brozovic providing control and defensive balance behind the club’s attacking stars.</p>



<p>If the transfer is completed before their continental meeting, <strong>Ronaldo and Brozovic could find themselves on opposite sides of the pitch only months after sharing the same dressing room</strong>. It would add an extra layer of intrigue to an already important AFC Champions League fixture.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo set for AFC Champions League reunion with Marcelo Brozovic as ex-Al-Nassr star nears surprise move, but not in Saudi Pro League

Cristiano Ronaldo set for AFC Champions League reunion with Marcelo Brozovic as ex-Al-Nassr star nears surprise move, but not in Saudi Pro League - World Soccer Talk

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<p>The Portuguese coach of Brazilian club Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira, will earn more money than any other coach in the world.</p>



<p>The Brazilian league season ends next month. Abel Ferreira is going to accept a lucrative offer from Qatar and leave his position with the Big Green.</p>



<p>Abel Ferreira has received an ‘irrefutable’ offer from Al Sadd, as reported by the Catalan news outlet <a href="https://www.record.pt/internacional/paises/brasil/detalhe/espanhois-garantem-que-abel-ferreira-tem-proposta-para-passar-a-ser-o-treinador-mais-bem-pago-do-mundo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SPORT</a>. If accepted, the offer would put him ahead of all other soccer managers in terms of salary until 2024.</p>



<p>The 44-year-old manager and the Qatari side are in advanced stages of contract negotiations. The deal should close after <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/how-to-watch-palmeiras-on-us-tv/ar-AA1kA6Rh" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palmeiras</a>‘ season finale in early December. The deal, when finalized, would make Abel the highest-paid manager in the world, surpassing even Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone.</p>



<p>From 2019 until 2021, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> icon Xavi coached Al Sadd. Their conditions are characterized in the article as ‘financially, irrefutable’ and the ‘chance of a lifetime’, indicating that the Qatari club are committed to spending a lot of money to achieve their goal.</p>



<h2>How has Abel Ferreira fared at Palmeiras?</h2>



<p>As the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Campeonato Brasileiro</a> enters its final stages, Palmeiras are embroiled in a fierce struggle to retain the Brazilian championship. With two games to go, they have the lead over Botafogo by three points.</p>



<p>The latter team are in terrible form with four draws and a defeat in the last five games. Once Ferreira arrived in Brazil and assumed leadership of Palmeiras in November 2020, he immediately began to achieve success.</p>



<p>During his tenure in Sao Paulo, Abel won several trophies, including the Brazilian championship last year and the Copa Libertadores medals in consecutive years. In addition to his accomplishments in Brazil, Ferreira has coached in Europe, most notably at PAOK Thessaloniki and Braga.</p>



<h2>Portuguese coach is Endrick’s mentor</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/16052424/Abel-Ferreira-Endrick-1200x675-1200x675.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-474374" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Abel Ferreira has helped Endrick develop into one of the game’s rising stars.</figcaption></figure>



<p>The overwhelming demands of Brazil’s fixture calendar almost caused Abel to abandon his post just last month. He went on to say that everyone is affected by the hectic pace of Brazilian soccer.</p>



<p>He had the bright idea that they could minimize coach complaints by getting more sleep and ‘oxygen’ so they would not make as many blunders. Ferreira has also made light of the fact that he got an overwhelming number of cards in the past.</p>



<p>He made a sarcastic comment about how great it was that he could lead the squad from the luxury of his sofa while staying home to enjoy his family during games. In addition to discussing this, he has talked about his hopes for Endrick’s future at Real Madrid and the traits he sees in the player.</p>



<p>“Endrick is a case in which everything happened very quickly. He always played above his category. When he reached the professional team, he had other competitions, stronger player levels, with other difficulties, but he is a young man with a lot of character, with a good heart, who listens a lot, who wants to learn. He is a born finisher.</p>



<p>“He is not a player who is from the area, but who appears, has a lot of mobility, likes to attack space. With the right and left, he is easy to shoot on goal and he has goals. That is very good for him. If we are calm, we water this plant with the necessary water, I have no doubt that in three, four years it can be a world reference”, <a href="https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas-noticias/2023/11/12/abel-ferreira-endrick-palmeiras-internacional.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">he said</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>


Portuguese coach poised to earn highest salary in world

Neither Pep Guardiola nor Diego Simeone, a coach from Portugal, Abel Ferreira, will likely become the highest-paid coach in the world.

<p>Leeds United have confirmed the arrival of head coach Javi Gracia. The coach commits to the club on a short-term deal until the end of the current campaign. However, Leeds also stated that Gracia agreed to a “flexible contract” in their official announcement.</p>



<p>“Leeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become men’s first team head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit,” the <a href="https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/31078/javi-gracia-agrees-to-become-leeds-united-head-coach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">official statement</a> read. “The experienced 52-year-old has agreed a flexible contract at Elland Road.”</p>



<h5>Spaniard still needs work permit to coach club</h5>



<p>A work permit, however, is still required for Gracia to man the sidelines for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> side. This would obviously be needed in time for the weekend, as Leeds are set to face Southampton on Saturday. </p>



<p>“The club hope Gracia’s first game in charge of the Whites will be Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton at Elland Road, subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions,” said the team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📰 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LUFC</a> is delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit</p>— Leeds United (@LUFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LUFC/status/1628054467332513797?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>Gracia previously coached Osasuna, Malaga, Rubin Kazan, Watford, Valencia and most recently Al Sadd. The 52-year-old coach has been out of work since he left the Qatari club last summer. He departed Al Sadd with an impressive 72% win rate in the Middle Eastern country.</p>



<h2>Javi Gracia brings Watford experience to Leeds</h2>



<p>Most Premier League fans will remember Gracia for his time at Watford. The Spaniard helped keep the Hornets in the top flight during his 18-month spell with the team. Watford even finished 11th and made an FA Cup final during Gracia’s only full season at the helm. The club was relegated eight months after the Spanish coach departed England.</p>



<p>Leeds will now hope Gracia can work similar magic with the West Yorkshire club. The Whites are currently 19th in the <a href="https://www.premierleague.com/tables" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League table</a>, two points from safety. A matchup with Southampton on Saturday will be massive in the club’s attempts to survive relegation. The Saints sit bottom of the standings. A win or loss at Elland Road will be impactful for Leeds either way.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PRiME Media Images</em></p>


Leeds appoint Javi Gracia as manager until end of season

Leeds United have confirmed the arrival of head coach Javi Gracia. The coach commits to the club on a short-term deal until the end of the current campaign. However, Leeds also stated that Gracia agreed to a "flexible contract" in their official announcement. "Leeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with [&hellip;]

Leeds United have confirmed the hiring of Javi Gracia as head coach over two weeks since sacking Jesse Marsch.

<p>Nottingham Forest have officially announced the signing of Andre Ayew. Although the transfer deadline day was Tuesday, the Ghana international was able to join Forest because he was a free agent. Ayew recently departed Qatari club Al Sadd.</p>



<p>“It’s a great feeling to sign for Nottingham Forest,” <a href="https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2023/february/02/forest-complete-signing-of-andr--ayew/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">proclaimed</a> Ayew during the announcement. “I know how big the club is and I know how much the club means to the city and the fanbase. It’s always been difficult whenever I’ve played against Forest and at The City Ground and I love the stadium.”</p>



<h5>Player and coach have history together</h5>



<p>Ayew previously worked with Forest head coach Steve Cooper. The duo spent two seasons with Swansea City together, as the forward scored 31 league goals for Cooper during this timeframe. Ayew was voted as the Welsh club’s player of the season for the 2019/20 campaign.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Great to have you here, André. 😁<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WelcomeAndr%C3%A9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WelcomeAndré</a> 🇬🇭 <a href="https://t.co/8eT5F5zZyY">pic.twitter.com/8eT5F5zZyY</a></p>— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFFC/status/1621223024883023875?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>“Steve Cooper is someone who knows me very well and knows how to work with me both on and off the pitch. We have a strong relationship, he’s a special coach and a special human being and someone who I really look up to.”</p>



<p>“I know what I can bring to the team, I’m ready to give my all and make sure that we are able to stay in the Premier League.”</p>



<h2>Nottingham Forest in desperate need of Andre Ayew goals</h2>



<p>Cooper will hope that the reunion gives his team a shot in the arm. Only Everton and Wolves have scored fewer <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> goals than Forest this season. Ayew has scored over 150 club goals during his senior career. He has also managed to net 24 times in 113 games for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ghana-national-team-tv-schedule/">Ghana</a> as well.</p>



<p>Everton were also reportedly interested in signing the Ghanian. However, Ayew has chosen Forest over the 19th-placed Toffees. The 33-year-old forward has signed a short-term contract with the club that runs until the end of the current campaign. Ayew is Forest’s 30th signing of the season.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Newspix</em></p>


Nottingham Forest announce Andre Ayew signing

Nottingham Forest have officially unveiled Andre Ayew as their new player, a man who previously worked under Steve Cooper at Swansea City.

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