Cristiano Ronaldo saves career of Man Utd transfer target

Robin Bairner

• 25 Sep 2025 08:00 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Manchester United and Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo has played a role in saving the career of a promising Bundesliga star dubbed 'the new Manuel Neuer'.

Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kaua Santos has Ronaldo to thank as he took to the field for his side in a 4-3 loss against Union Berlin last weekend.

The 22-year-old Brazilian arrived in Germany in 2023 and was Frankfurt’s reserve keeper at the beginning of last season. He forced his way into the starting XI in March, yet his dream became a nightmare when he suffered an ACL injury in April.

Current ETV

Cristiano Ronaldo 

F (C)

Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo 

F (C)

Al-Nassr

€10.4M

ETV Range

€9.4M - €11.5M

View full profile

It was at this point Ronaldo stepped in to help, Bild reports.

Kaua Santos’ close friend reached out to the five-time Ballon d’Or winner via his brother. This allowed the shot-stopper to get in touch with renowned Portuguese knee surgeon Jose Carlos Noronha, who is based in Porto.

Noronha is among those who have helped Ronaldo maintain his remarkable fitness level deep into his career. He analysed Santos’ injury and confirmed that no surgery was required to heal the problem. As such, the former Flamengo star was able to return to the field less than six months after being struck down following a bout of intensive rehabilitation.

The shot-stopper completed part of his recovery work in Portugal at the ‘Move Better’ centre, where it is reported he enhanced both his physical and mental strength.

Having been helped back to fitness, indirectly, by Ronaldo, Kaua Santos was delighted to be back on the field.

“It was far from a dream comeback, but I can finally do what I love most again. Now I feel stronger, prepared, and hungrier than ever to win. I'm excited for everything that lies ahead,” he said after the game.

Man Utd in Kaua Santos bid

Bild details that Kaua Santos was looking so strong in pre-season that big clubs around Europe were lining him up for a potential transfer.

“Wolverhampton Wanderers and even Manchester United came knocking again towards the end of the transfer window. The world-class club from Manchester, which wanted to sign Santos last year, were willing to pay €25-30m for him. But Santos and Frankfurt blocked the offer,” the German source reports.

Man Utd were linked with Kaua Santos before his injury, at which point he was being touted for a €60 million (£52.36m) move amid hype he was the next Manuel Neuer. Now he is back and has Cristiano Ronaldo to thank.

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