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July 16, 2025
Ronaldo just helped orchestrate a major power move at Al Nassr, bringing in veteran coach Jorge Jesus to lead the charge. With both men chasing silverware and legacy, the club is banking on this Portuguese partnership to shake up Saudi football and take them all the way to the top.
There’s a new era brewing at Al Nassr — and it smells unmistakably like Portugal. In a move that felt as much about legacy as ambition, Cristiano Ronaldo has helped bring Jorge Jesus back to Saudi Arabia, this time to lead his side in what could be their most decisive season yet, ahead of the much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Ronaldo hopes to leave his mark. It wasn’t just a boardroom decision. It was personal! Much like those who are fed up of their girlfriends or wives and end up exploring new pathways on platforms such as Silicon Wives.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Jorge Jesus
By now, it’s no secret who runs the show in Riyadh. When Jorge Jesus was unveiled as the new Al Nassr manager on July 14, many pointed to Ronaldo’s long arm behind the scenes. Jesus didn’t dodge it either.
Al-Nassr's new Portuguese manager Jorge Jesus has taken on a challenge with Cristiano Ronaldo:
— Plaantik (@Plaantik) July 15, 2025
"Without his [Ronaldo's] invitation, I wouldn’t be here"
“Ronaldo is a player who has always won everything wherever he’s played, but not yet in Saudi Arabia. I’ll see if I can hel… pic.twitter.com/kuSciWgi7k
It’s a bold thing to say, but it tracks. The two go way back to Sporting CP roots, and while they never worked together there, the mutual respect had always been public. Ronaldo welcomed Jesus on Instagram with a simple but meaningful message: “Bem-vindo, Mister.” Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Let’s not pretend this is just about loyalty. Jorge Jesus isn’t coming in as anyone’s sidekick. The man led Al Hilal to a domestic treble just last season, setting a global record with 34 straight wins. He left the club at the peak of his powers, was named coach of the season, and could have taken offers elsewhere. But Al Nassr had the one bargaining chip no other club could: Cristiano.
Ronaldo, for his part, just extended his contract through 2027 and remains Al Nassr’s top scorer—netting 35 league goals last season. He's not here for a paycheck; he wants trophies, and he wants them now.
Jesus signed a one-year deal. That’s telling. It’s not a long-term rebuild; it’s a mission. Al Nassr finished third in the 2023–24 Saudi Pro League under Stefano Pioli. Close, but no cigar. The expectation now is simple: win the league, challenge for continental titles, and leave no room for doubt.
Al Hilal, the reigning champions, aren’t going anywhere. And Al Ittihad, despite a messy year, will reload. But Al Nassr have something no one else does—a tight-knit Portuguese core, starting with Ronaldo, extending to Jesus, and now including newly appointed technical director José Semedo, Ronaldo’s longtime friend and former Sporting teammate.
It’s a family business now.
Tactically, Jesus isn’t known for reinventing the wheel — but he is a master of cohesion. His teams press, move with purpose, and rarely lose focus. He’s the kind of manager who will demand every ounce of effort, even from a global icon like Ronaldo. And that’s probably what the number 7 wants at this stage in his career.
He doesn’t need to be coddled. He needs a coach who sees the bigger picture.
Expect tighter defensive shape, more controlled midfield play, and perhaps a shift in how Ronaldo is used—less reliance on him running in behind, more as a final-third finisher and leader.
Reactions to Jesus’s appointment have been largely positive, especially among Al Nassr faithful who’ve seen what he did at Al Hilal. Some rivals, of course, are skeptical. They’ll point to the one-year deal as a sign of uncertainty.
But when a manager of Jesus’s caliber says he joined because of Ronaldo, it shifts the narrative. It’s no longer just a star-studded squad — it’s a coordinated project. A statement of intent.
Here's how things line up heading into the new season:
| KEY FIGURES | ROLE |
|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Star player / team leader |
| Jorge Jesus | Head coach |
| Miguel Semedo | Sporting director |
| Marcelo Brozović | Midfield anchor |
| Aymeric Laporte | Defensive leader |
| Sadio Mané | Attacking partner / winger |
This isn’t just about winning matches. It’s about reasserting dominance. Ronaldo knows his playing days are numbered, but he’s not slowing down just yet. Jesus, 70 years old and still hungry, wouldn’t have taken this job without a real shot at more silverware.
Together, they’ve got the tools, the backing, and now the pressure. All eyes are on Riyadh.
They’ve built the stage. Now comes the hard part — delivering.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on August 19, against Al Ittihad, for the Saudi Super Cup. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad, Liverpool vs AC Milan, Vissel Kobe vs Barcelona, Man United vs Leeds United, Reading vs Tottenham and Arsenal vs Milan, all matches provided from our live sports game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad kick-off time (19-08-2025):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+7: 20:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+4.30: 17:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+2: 15:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 14:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 13:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 10:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 09:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 06:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / reuters.com / goal.com
