Jorge Jesus, the manager of Al-Nassr, has called Cristiano Ronaldo a role model for the football community. This came after the 40-year-old showcased a commendable performance in Al-Nassr’s win during the Saudi Super Cup on Tuesday. Despite being at the later stages of his career, the former Real Madrid star shows no signs of decline. Over his career, Ronaldo has scored 938 goals in 1,281 matches for both club and country. He joined Al-Nassr in 2022, beginning a new chapter after his fallout with former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag. His move to Saudi Arabia has significantly impacted the region’s presence in the football world, prompting Al-Nassr to sign players like Inigo Martinez and Joao Felix this summer to enhance their chances of winning the Pro League title. Felix even scored in their semi-final victory against rivals Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup. Jesus pointed out that 80% of fans attending Al-Nassr matches do so to watch Ronaldo play. He remarked, “Ronaldo serves as a prime example for global football, maintaining his athleticism and physical performance at 40, and we shouldn’t forget that 80% of the audience is here for him; Al-Nassr is deserving of having such a worldwide icon.” Ronaldo was presented with a prime chance to score against Al-Ittihad but opted to pass to his fellow national player, Felix, who easily scored into an unguarded net.
