The Aston Villa star’s first AFC Champions League outing sparks debate over his fit and personal lifestyle choices in the Saudi Pro League
Jhon Duran, the highly touted striker from Aston Villa, made his much-anticipated debut for Al Nassr on Monday night, and Saudi media have made their opinions known. The Colombian forward, who joined Al Nassr in a £64.5 million deal, has taken on the No.9 jersey and signed a lucrative contract reportedly paying him an astonishing £16.7 million a year—translating to about £46,000 a day, £1,900 an hour, and £31 a minute.
Duran, who impressed with 12 goals in 29 appearances for Aston Villa, was given his first start for his new club in an AFC Champions League match against Al Wasl at Al Awwal Park. Although he didn’t find the back of the net, his debut came in a 4-0 rout that saw Cristiano Ronaldo, celebrating his upcoming 40th birthday, score twice and steal the headlines.
Despite the resounding team victory, the Saudi media have been vocal in their criticism. Sports critic Abdul Karim Al-Jasser questioned whether Duran can truly thrive in the Saudi Pro League, noting that while he is physically excellent, the league’s narrow playing areas require a player with precise shooting and strong heading ability—qualities he believes Duran still needs to prove, especially with stars like Ronaldo and Sadio Mane already in the attacking mix.
Arab News offered a more tempered view, pointing out that much of the spotlight once again fell on Ronaldo rather than Duran during the impressive win.
Off the pitch, Duran has reportedly revealed his intention to live in nearby Bahrain rather than Riyadh—a decision driven by personal concerns about cohabitation rules in Saudi Arabia. This move means he would face a 600-mile round trip for each training session, a factor that could shape his adaptation to life in the league.
Al Nassr will return to action on Friday against Al Fehia, and Duran is eager to make his mark by opening his goal-scoring account. As he embarks on this new chapter in his career, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if he can meet the high expectations placed on him in one of the world’s most intriguing leagues.
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