Jorge Jesus had fun in Cristiano Ronaldo by reminding his Portuguese colleagues that he still has not won a major trophy in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo, who was 40 years old last week, had a career loaded with silverware, winning seven league titles through spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, as well as five crowns of the Champions League and Euro 2016 with his country.
Add five gold balloons and you may understand why Ronaldo considers himself the greatest player of all time.
Eyes on Alahli. Thursday is waiting. pic.twitter.com/o9gpgldq6c
– Alnassr FC (@alnassrfc_en) February 10, 2025
The success in Saudi has so far escaped him, after his move to Al-Nassr in 2023.
The former CP Sportif and Benfica Boss Jesus did better, returning for a second spell in Al-Hilal in July 2023 and quickly winning the title of the Professional League.
All that Ronaldo has succeeded is the barely recognized Arab champions cup.
Jesus full of admiration for Ronaldo
Despite this, Jesus remains a big fan of Ronaldo and what he did for the game.
He told Canal 11: “We don’t have time to meet in Saudi Arabia. We were already friends in Portugal. I met him more times in Portugal than in Saudi Arabia. It is a reference, the pride of the Portuguese.
“The first time I got here, they knew Ronaldo, not Portugal. The display panels in the middle of the city only showed Ronaldo, and it was six years ago. In Portugal, they do not appreciate it as much for the image it brings. »»
“ He has still won nothing in Saudi Arabia ”
Jesus, who is now 70 years old, accepts that he is unlikely to manage Ronaldo given that they both come to the end of their career and could not resist a small excavation at the expense of the attacker.
He added: “Do you work with him?” I don’t think it will be possible. He is an example at 40. In one of the last games we played, I said, “How is he so 39 years old, he’s fast and super motivated?”
“There is nothing short of anything. He has won everything in sporting terms, the only thing he has not been is a winner of the World Cup with the national team, and he has still won nothing in Saudi Arabia! »»
Al-Nassr is third in the professional league, six points behind al-Hilal, second. Ronaldo and Co are the next in action on Thursday when they face al-Ahli.
