Cristiano Ronaldo has worked under some of the most iconic managers in world football—names like Sir Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, and Zinedine Zidane. Now, Jorge Jesus joins that elite list after being appointed by Al Nassr, becoming yet another Portuguese coach in Ronaldo’s storied career.
Ronaldo played a pivotal role in the hiring process and personally welcomed Jesus upon his appointment as Al Nassr’s new head coach. The former Al Hilal boss signed a one-year deal with the goal of helping the Portuguese star capture his first official trophy in the Middle East.
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has been coached by five Portuguese managers—two at club level and three with the national team. With Jesus becoming the sixth at Al Nassr, the pattern is clear: working under fellow countrymen has often brought out the best in the legendary forward.
Jose Mourinho and Luis Castro: Ronaldo’s club-level Portuguese coaches
Cristiano Ronaldo first worked with a Portuguese coach at club level when José Mourinho took over at Real Madrid in 2010, one year after Ronaldo’s arrival. The Special One remained at the helm until 2013, overseeing a highly productive spell for the Portuguese star.
Although Mourinho’s tenure yielded just three major trophies (La Liga, Copa del Rey, and Supercopa de España), Ronaldo’s individual output was remarkable. He scored 168 goals and provided 49 assists in 164 appearances, including a Golden Boot-winning 2010–11 season with 41 league goals.
see also
Cristiano Ronaldo or Lamine Yamal – Who is better? CR7’s son makes eye-opening four-word comparison with Barcelona star
Nearly a decade later, Ronaldo was once again managed by a Portuguese coach, this time at Al Nassr under Luis Castro. Castro joined in 2023 and helped the team lift the Arab Club Champions Cup, though the title is considered unofficial. Under his guidance, Ronaldo scored 47 goals and recorded 16 assists in 48 matches—another demonstration of his enduring goal-scoring prowess.
Three Portuguese managers on the international stage
Ronaldo made his Portugal debut under Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, but the most successful chapters of his international career came under Portuguese leadership. He was guided by Carlos Queiroz, Paulo Bento, and most notably, Fernando Santos.
Queiroz led the national team between 2008 and 2010, a period that included the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Ronaldo played 18 times during Queiroz’s tenure, scoring just two goals and contributing two assists—a quiet stretch ahead of his later dominance.
Paulo Bento succeeded Queiroz and oversaw the buildup to the 2014 World Cup. During his four-year stint, Ronaldo featured in 38 games, scoring 27 goals and adding 11 assists. Despite strong individual performances, Portugal failed to capture any silverware during that time.
That changed under Fernando Santos, who coached Ronaldo in 82 matches between 2014 and 2022. Under Santos, the forward scored 69 goals and registered 13 assists, playing a key role in Portugal’s two historic titles: the UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2019 UEFA Nations League. Santos remains a polarizing figure among fans, but his tenure marked the most successful era in the history of Portuguese football.
