<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/cristiano-ronaldo/">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>’s return to preseason action is already making headlines—as are the ripple effects his presence is creating. As clubs around the world begin preparing for the new season, Saudi side <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/al-nassr/">Al Nassr</a> are kicking off its 2025 preseason in Austria. But due to specific arrangements made for Ronaldo, one German club has been forced to train on a local high school field.



With Jorge Jesus entering his first full season as head coach, Al Nassr scheduled their summer training camp in Saalfelden, a small Austrian town near the German border that’s home to just 16,000 residents. It’s a familiar destination for clubs seeking quiet preparation away from the spotlight.



Al Nassr are set to stay in Saalfelden from July 20 to August 4, with three friendly matches on the calendar. Ronaldo, who was officially named to the preseason squad on July 19, is expected to join the team during the trip. But even before his arrival, his presence has already made waves—including for one club that shares the town during preseason.



<h2>Hannover 96 forced to relocate training camp</h2>



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/hannover-96/">Hannover 96</a>, currently playing in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, (Germany’s second tier) has used Saalfelden as a regular base for summer training camps. But this year, the club has been pushed out of its usual facilities due to Ronaldo’s security requirements.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20250721_WST_580156_ron-ziegler-hannover-96-1200x675_beda1a2d.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-580168" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2025/07/20204051/ron-ziegler-hannover-96.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



According to Austrian media reports, Ronaldo will be accompanied by a personal security team of no fewer than 16 bodyguards. That level of security has prompted major logistical changes in and around the team’s hotel, forcing Hannover 96 to find alternative accommodations.


 <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" id="WST#/news/lionel-messi-sets-new-record-to-overtake-cristiano-ronaldo-in-historic-goal-battle/"></div>


As a result, Hannover has lost access to the training complex tied to their preferred hotel and will instead train at the local high school stadium. Despite the disruption, head coach Christian Titz downplayed the inconvenience. “It’s not a problem. The conditions are very good. The pitch is in excellent shape,” he told reporters.



With Al Nassr’s matches and training sessions closed to the public and protected by strict security, Ronaldo was expected to arrive in Austria on July 20. However, local reports suggest he may miss the first five days of the camp. The club is ramping up preparations for its first official match of the season: the Saudi Super Cup semifinal against Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s demands force German club to abandon training facility for high school field

Cristiano Ronaldo's requests for Al Nassr preseason force German club to relocate to high school field - World Soccer Talk

Cristiano Ronaldo’s requests for Al Nassr preseason force German club to relocate to high school field

destacadas

Hannover 96 supporters went to new lengths to show their frustrations with German soccer’s plans to sell 8% of the media rights. Protests have been common throughout the German soccer divisions over recent weeks. Yet, most of the time, fans throw fake money or tennis balls on the field. This also features banners in the stands that outwardly state the <a href="https://twitter.com/worldsoccertalk/status/1756094841040081234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supporters’ issue with the plans</a> to sell media rights to outside investors. 



Hannover, which is currently in the second tier of the German soccer pyramid, had officials shred a bike lock off the goal. Connected between the net and the post, the bike lock prevented the beginning of the game on Friday evening. Hannover went on to win the game in a dramatic 4-3 final. That leaves Hannover just three points behind Hamburg in the 2. Bundesliga table.



However, the protest had another level to it beyond simply delaying the game. As the removers of the bike lock did not figure out the code, they used an <a href="https://twitter.com/matt_4d/status/1757356831402332649" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">angle grinder to remove the lock</a>. Meanwhile, a tifo in the away end read “The solution is 50+01.”



On the bike lock, putting in the code 50+01 would have opened the bike lock. The 50+01 is a message to the 50+1 rule in the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a>. This mandates that each club in Germany has fans own 50% of the club plus one vote. This means that the supporters’ groups have the final say regarding anything that happens. However, the sale of media rights has led to some discourse between certain clubs and their fan groups. 



<h2>Hannover bike lock symbolizes the 50+1 rule in Germany</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240213_WST_489387_Hannover-protest-1200x670_58b7e62d.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-489391" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Hannover-protest-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Hannover-protest-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Hannover-protest-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/02/Hannover-protest.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Club ownership is responsive and coherent with the fan groups. However, the first part of the tifo took direct aim at the club’s chairman, Martin Kind. The message said, “Investors and Martin Kind are our problem,” before the aforementioned statement that 50+01 is the solution. These investors include CVC Capital, which may now be alone in the bidding for the Bundesliga media rights. 



Blackstone, another private equity firm that expressed interest in the media rights sale from the Bundesliga, is backing out. The group is weary of the backlash and criticism from fans, so it <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/protests-in-germany-lead-to-blackstone-dropping-out-20240213-WST-489341.html">exited the race for the 8% of the rights</a>. Bundesliga supporters will see the exit of one of the private equity firms as a victory, but there is a potential issue. If a deal does happen with a foreign investment group, there is no bidding war the Bundesliga could take advantage of. Therefore, CVC Capital may lower the amount of money it puts into the Bundesliga while still receiving 8% of the media rights. 



<h2>Continued prospect of a sale</h2>



Even if fans are frustrated with the progression of a potential sale, there is no sign of discussions stopping. Twenty-four of the 36 clubs in the top two divisions in Germany had their chairmen agree to search for a sale of the media rights. There is a breakdown of how the funds would separate between the clubs. Yet, the rumors of a 20-year deal worth $1.1 billion remain a major point of contention. 



PHOTOS: IMAGO.

German fans put bike lock on goal to protest Bundesliga sale

Hannover 96 supporters went to new lengths with a bike lock to show their frustrations with German soccer's plans to sell media rights.

Latest news from Hannover 96. Find out about all the news related to Hannover 96 on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Hannover 96"

News

Cristiano Ronaldo’s requests for Al Nassr preseason force German club to relocate to high school field

Germany

German fans put bike lock on goal to protest Bundesliga sale