Al-Nassr’s star forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has officially welcomed new head coach Jorge Jesus to the club, marking a fresh chapter in the Saudi Pro League’s growing embrace of elite European football influence. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner took to social media to express his delight at the Portuguese tactician’s appointment, simply posting a message that read: “Welcome.”
Jorge Jesus, a seasoned coach with a glittering résumé, becomes the second Portuguese manager to take charge of the Riyadh-based club during Ronaldo’s tenure. The 70-year-old joins Al-Nassr on a one-year deal after receiving what sources describe as “full endorsement” from Ronaldo himself.
The move marks a reunion of sorts between two icons of Portuguese football. Though Jesus and Ronaldo have never worked together before, they share mutual respect and a history of success that has elevated Portuguese football on the global stage.
A New Era Under Jorge Jesus
Jorge Jesus brings with him decades of managerial experience, including successful stints in Europe, Brazil, and the Middle East. Most notably, Jesus is no stranger to Saudi Arabian football. He previously managed Al-Nassr’s fierce rivals Al-Hilal, guiding them to several domestic titles including the Saudi Pro League, King’s Cup, and two Saudi Super Cups.
Now, he returns to Saudi Arabia with renewed purpose—and this time, with Cristiano Ronaldo under his charge. The duo’s partnership is expected to bring tactical brilliance, discipline, and renewed hope for silverware after Al-Nassr finished the 2023-24 season without a major domestic title.
Jesus replaces Italian coach Stefano Pioli, who managed the club for a brief spell last season before returning to Italy to take charge of Fiorentina. Under Pioli, Al-Nassr showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately failed to displace Al-Hilal’s dominance in the league and cup competitions.
Prior to Pioli, Ronaldo played under Luis Castro, another Portuguese manager, who led the team through the 2023-24 season and guided them to significant victories in the AFC Champions League and Arab Club Champions Cup before exiting the role.
Now with Jesus at the helm, Al-Nassr fans are hoping for a strategic revival and consistent title contention.
Ronaldo’s Influence and Endorsement
Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 in a move that shocked the footballing world, continues to play a pivotal role not just on the pitch but also behind the scenes. Reports suggest that Ronaldo was consulted before the club finalized Jesus’ appointment—a clear sign of his growing influence in club decisions.
While Ronaldo’s public reaction was brief, his “welcome” post was widely seen as an endorsement of Jesus’ tactical philosophy and leadership style. Football analysts also speculate that Ronaldo sees in Jesus the structure, attacking mindset, and experience necessary to take Al-Nassr to the next level.
The pair share a mutual admiration for hard work and discipline—values that have defined their respective careers. Jesus, known for his high pressing and attacking football, may prove a good match for Ronaldo, who remains one of the world’s most lethal forwards even at age 40.
What Jorge Jesus Brings to Al-Nassr
Jesus has managed prestigious clubs including Benfica, Sporting CP, and Flamengo, winning domestic titles in Portugal and continental trophies in South America. At Flamengo, he achieved historic success by winning the Copa Libertadores and the Brazilian Serie A in 2019, becoming a national hero in Brazil.
His return to Saudi Arabia signals unfinished business. During his previous tenure with Al-Hilal, Jesus led the team to silverware before a surprise exit in early 2019. His familiarity with the region, combined with his tactical expertise, makes him well-suited for Al-Nassr’s current ambitions.
At 70, Jesus still brings energy, sharp game intelligence, and a flair for transforming clubs into disciplined, aggressive units. His challenge now is to blend a squad filled with high-profile international stars—including Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović, and Aymeric Laporte—into a cohesive, title-winning team.
Al-Nassr’s Growing Ambition
Since Ronaldo’s arrival, Al-Nassr has dramatically increased its profile both on and off the pitch. The club’s social media following has skyrocketed, stadium attendance has hit record levels, and merchandise sales have boomed across the Middle East and Africa.
Beyond commercial success, the club has invested heavily in strengthening its squad. The Saudi Pro League’s financial backing has enabled Al-Nassr and other clubs to sign top talents from Europe, building what many now refer to as the “Saudi Galácticos.”
Ronaldo has repeatedly spoken about wanting to leave a legacy in Saudi football, helping grow the league’s global visibility and competitive stature. Working under Jorge Jesus may now offer him a renewed sense of purpose, particularly as Al-Nassr aims to challenge Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli in both domestic and continental competitions.
What Lies Ahead
The 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season promises to be one of the most competitive yet. With teams continuing to bolster their squads with international stars, the league is attracting increasing global media coverage.
Al-Nassr will be aiming for a fresh title push, and expectations are high. For Jorge Jesus, the pressure is immediate: restore Al-Nassr to championship status. For Cristiano Ronaldo, the mission remains unchanged—win trophies, score goals, and inspire the next generation.
If the Jesus-Ronaldo partnership clicks, it could define the next chapter of Saudi football.
Reporting by Africa Live News
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