Jorge Jesus on Cristiano Ronaldo: “He is a great example for world football”

Cristiano Ronaldo once again proved decisive for Al-Nassr, leading his team to a 2–1 win over Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal. The Portuguese star, now 40 years old, continues to impress with his performances and earned glowing praise from his compatriot and new coach, Jorge Jesus.

Jorge Jesus: Ronaldo Still Defines Football at 40

Speaking to Ojogo after the match, Jorge Jesus highlighted not only Ronaldo’s impact on the pitch but also his unmatched global influence.

“Cristiano is a great example for world football. He’s 40 years old and delivers incredible athletic and physical performances. And let’s not forget that 80% of the fans in the stadium are here because of him,” said the Al-Nassr coach.

Jesus, who only recently took charge of the Saudi giants, acknowledged Ronaldo’s ability to sustain elite performance levels far beyond the typical career span of a footballer. “Al-Nassr deserves to have this global star,” he added, predicting further success for the club with the legendary No. 7 at the helm.

Al-Nassr Battle Past Al-Ittihad

The semifinal was far from straightforward for Al-Nassr. Playing in intense humidity and reduced to 10 men, the Riyadh side showed resilience to overcome their rivals.

“This game left us physically exhausted, the humidity was very high, and we played with ten men, but it was a beautiful victory and gave the team a lot of confidence,” Jesus explained.

The Portuguese coach also credited his team’s defensive discipline: “Al-Ittihad created only one chance and didn’t generate many more after that.”

Focus Turns to Saudi Super Cup Final

With the victory, Al-Nassr booked their place in the Saudi Super Cup final, where they will face Al-Ahli on Saturday. Al-Ahli arrive on the back of a commanding 5–1 win over Al-Qadsiah in their semifinal.

A packed stadium is expected as Ronaldo looks to deliver his first trophy in Saudi Arabia, further cementing his enduring legacy in world football.