Who is Mason Greenwood, and why is Ronaldo desperate to sign him to Al-Nassr before the Saudi transfer window shuts?

Ronaldo and Greenwood played 17 matches together at Manchester United in 2021/22/ Image composite: X

With just days left before the Saudi Pro League transfer window shuts on September 11, Cristiano Ronaldo is personally driving Al-Nassr’s efforts to land Marseille’s in-form forward Mason Greenwood. The move, if it materialises, could define Al-Nassr’s silverware ambitions this season, and possibly reshape Greenwood’s career trajectory yet again.

Ronaldo’s late-window power play for Greenwood

Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, may be in the twilight of his career, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down — either on the pitch or in the boardroom. After extending his contract with Al-Nassr for another two years, committing to the club past his 42nd birthday, Ronaldo has turned his focus to one objective: winning trophies in Saudi Arabia, something that has eluded him since his arrival. His influence already proved decisive in bringing Portuguese teammate João Félix to Al-Nassr this summer in a deal worth up to £43.7 million. Now, he wants another familiar name by his side, Mason Greenwood, the 23-year-old former Manchester United prodigy, now thriving at Olympique de Marseille. According to Diario Sport and other reports, Ronaldo is actively pushing for Al-Nassr to sign Greenwood before the Saudi transfer window slams shut on September 11. European windows are closed, but Saudi clubs remain in the hunt, and Greenwood’s name has shot to the top of Al-Nassr’s wish list. This would mark a dramatic shift for Greenwood, who reportedly turned down Saudi approaches in 2024. But with Ronaldo now fronting the effort, the tide may be turning.

Who is Mason Greenwood, and why now?

Mason Greenwood’s talent has never been in doubt, only his trajectory. A product of Manchester United’s academy, Greenwood joined the club at the age of six and rose rapidly through the ranks, making his senior debut on 6 March 2019 at 17 years and 156 days, becoming United’s youngest-ever Champions League player in a historic win over Paris Saint-Germain.he burst onto the scene with both feet (literally, known for being ambipedal), scoring 35 goals across all competitions for United before his controversial exit.But in January 2022, Greenwood was arrested following allegations connected to material that had been published online. The charges — which included attempted rape and assault — were formally dropped on 2 February 2023. Despite the legal case not proceeding, Greenwood remained suspended by Manchester United throughout the process. After conducting an internal review, the club ultimately decided he would not return to the first-team setup.Following a loan to Getafe, Greenwood returned to Manchester in the summer of 2024, where he was informed by the coaching staff that he would be sold. That led to a fresh start at Olympique de Marseille, who signed him in July 2024. It was here that Greenwood began to rebuild, not just form, but reputation. His first season was emphatic:

Now 23, Greenwood has once again emerged as one of the most sought-after young forwards, not just in Europe but also across the growing football frontier of the Middle East. His Marseille form even sparked brief speculation about a return to the England national team, despite his decision this summer to decline a call-up from Jamaica.That invitation came as part of Jamaica’s World Cup qualifying campaign, led by head coach and former Manchester United assistant Steve McClaren, who briefly overlapped with Greenwood at Old Trafford. Although Greenwood had obtained a Jamaican passport and was expected to join the squad, he ultimately opted out after discussions with his family, choosing instead to prioritise his club career and defer any international commitment for now.

Why Greenwood fits Ronaldo’s vision at Al-Nassr

Ronaldo’s push for Greenwood isn’t about nostalgia, it’s based on first-hand experience. The pair were previously teammates at Manchester United during the 2021/22 campaign, featuring together in 17 matches across the Premier League and Champions League. Ronaldo saw Greenwood’s potential up close in that stretch: a technically gifted, ambidextrous forward with a natural instinct for goal.That impression has clearly stuck. Greenwood, now 23, represents the kind of profile Al-Nassr have struggled to attract, a clinical finisher with top-tier European pedigree, still in his prime, and hungry to re-establish himself at the top level. Crucially, he also comes with the ability to slot into a fluid frontline. Paired with João Félix, Greenwood could inject a sharper, more unpredictable dynamic into Al-Nassr’s attack, precisely what Ronaldo envisions as the club pushes to end its silverware drought.Frustrations have been mounting at Al-Nassr. Recent shortcomings in both the Saudi Pro League and AFC Champions League have left Ronaldo discontent. And despite winning the Golden Boot in back-to-back years, the Portugal international is yet to win the Saudi Pro League, as Al Nassr finished third in 2024/25 – 13 points behind winners Al Ittihad. His decision to renew his contract until 2027 wasn’t just about extending his career, it was a commitment to winning. And that commitment demands players who can hit the ground running. Greenwood fits that bill.

The bigger picture: Saudi ambitions and a transfer race still alive

The Saudi Pro League has not taken its foot off the gas. While European clubs are done for the summer, Saudi sides continue to recruit aggressively until September 11. Al-Nassr aren’t alone in scouting big names. Across the league:

Elsewhere in the region, Qatar Sports Club is close to finalising a deal for PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe, with that window open until September 16. In this hyper-competitive environment, Ronaldo’s role as recruiter-in-chief is shaping Al-Nassr’s push to outpace domestic rivals. Greenwood is not just another marquee signing, he is a tactical and psychological play, a signal that Al-Nassr, with Ronaldo at the helm, intend to finish what they started. Go to Source