Jorge Jesus has poked fun at Cristiano Ronaldo by reminding his fellow Portuguese he has still not won a major trophy in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo, who turned 40 last week, has enjoyed a silverware-laden career, winning seven league titles across spells with Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, as well as five Champions League crowns and Euro 2016 with his country.
Add in five Ballons d’Or and you can perhaps understand why Ronaldo sees himself as the greatest player of all time.
Eyes on AlAhli. Thursday is waiting.⏳ pic.twitter.com/O9gPgldQ6C
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) February 10, 2025
Success in Saudi has so far eluded him, though, following his move to Al-Nassr in 2023.
Former Sporting CP and Benfica boss Jesus has done better, returning for a second spell at Al-Hilal in July 2023 and promptly winning the Pro League title.
All Ronaldo has managed is the scarcely recognised Arab Club Champions Cup.
Jesus full of admiration for Ronaldo
Despite that, Jesus remains a huge fan of Ronaldo, and what he has done 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. He is a reference, the pride of the Portuguese.
“The first time I arrived here, they knew Ronaldo, not Portugal. The billboards in the middle of the city only showed Ronaldo, and that was six years ago. In Portugal, they don’t value him as much for the image he brings.”
‘He still hasn’t won anything in Saudi Arabia’
Jesus, who is now 70, accepts he is unlikely to manage Ronaldo given they are both coming towards the end of their careers, and couldn’t resist a little dig at the striker’s expense.
He added: “Working with him? I don’t think it will be possible anymore. He is an example at 40 years old. In one of the last games we played, I said ‘how does he run so much at 39, he is fast and super motivated?’
“He lacks nothing. He has won everything in sporting terms, the only thing he hasn’t been is a World Cup winner with the national team, and he still hasn’t won anything in Saudi Arabia!”
Al-Nassr are third in the Pro League, six points behind second-placed Al-Hilal. Ronaldo and Co are next in action on Thursday when they face Al-Ahli.
