What seemed like a promising adventure ended in a quiet exit. Jhon Durán, a 21-year-old Colombian forward, decided to leave Al Nassr after just five months at the club, and behind that decision was the biggest name in the locker room: Cristiano Ronaldo. According to The Telegraph, the growing influence of the Portuguese star not only set the tone on the field but also altered the daily atmosphere, pushing Durán to seek an early exit to Fenerbahçe in Turkey.
Durán arrived in Saudi Arabia with the label of a young promise after a standout semester with Aston Villa. His debut was dreamy: a double and statements full of excitement about sharing a team with CR7. But the honeymoon didn't last long. In his third match, he was sent off, and according to witnesses, Cristiano didn't hide his annoyance, which reportedly caused a rift between the two. Although they combined well on the field—more than 10 goals each in 13 matches—the internal harmony was never complete.
Al Nassr closed the season without major titles: out of the Asian Champions League and relegated to third place in the local league. Tensions quickly arose. The results crisis was compounded by management issues, including a lawsuit from the former CEO against the board. Amidst this chaos, Durán felt he had no room to grow, especially in a club where all decisions, from signings to the playing system, revolved around Cristiano.
The renewal of Ronaldo for two more years, in exchange for an astronomical figure—572 million euros according to sources close to the club—was confirmation that the project would continue at his pace. In this context, Durán chose to leave quietly, avoiding public confrontations but leaving signs that his time in Arabia left scars. What was supposed to be a developmental stage turned into an experience of constant pressure under the shadow of the 'Bicho'.
Now, Jhon Durán will seek to rediscover his best version in Turkey, where he will work under the orders of José Mourinho. Europe opens its doors to him again, this time with the lesson learned that sharing a locker room with a legend can be a privilege... or a burden. It all depends on the space available for growth. And at Al Nassr, that space had an owner.
