'We Don't Appreciate Him Enough!' - New Al Nassr Coach Slams Portugal For Disrespecting Cristiano Ronaldo

New Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus has come to the defense of Cristiano Ronaldo, criticizing Portugal for not fully valuing the football icon’s legacy and global stature.

In a candid interview with RTP’s Primeira Pessoa, Jesus, who recently took over at the Saudi Pro League club, spoke glowingly of Ronaldo — both as a player and as a cultural figure.

"Ronaldo is different, even in his biological age, which is why he’s 40 and still playing," Jesus said.

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 "He’s a global icon. We don’t appreciate Ronaldo enough in Portugal. He’s the biggest human reference point in the world, the biggest celebrity. He transcends the world of football."

Jesus drew parallels between himself and Ronaldo, noting that both defy expectations for their age.

"I’m 70, but I don’t feel it mentally or physically. We both think very similarly outside of football," he added.

The Portuguese tactician also opened up about his upbringing and early football journey, reflecting on the sacrifices made by his family.

"My father worked for a family and even when he was sick, he still went to work because he needed the money. At 17, I joined Sporting’s youth academy and was already earning more than my father — 750 escudos," Jesus recalled.

"I gave that money to my mother. My father was proud because I was playing for Sporting. I get emotional when I talk about my parents. We weren’t wealthy, but my father taught us important life principles."

While Jesus now leads Al Nassr — home to Cristiano Ronaldo and Otávio (who was notably left out of the club’s recent training camp) — he remains deeply nostalgic about his time in Brazil with Flamengo.

"Flamengo represents a beautiful chapter in my career, perhaps the most beautiful," Jesus said. "70,000 voices chanting 'olé, olé, mister' — I have recordings I still watch. I never experienced that in Portugal, not at Benfica, not at Sporting."

Under Jesus, Flamengo broke an 18-year trophy drought, winning multiple titles and captivating a fanbase of around 50 million.

"We won five titles and lost four times. We didn’t just win the Libertadores — we also won the Recopa Sudamericana. The only one we missed was the Club World Cup, losing 1-0 to Liverpool in extra time," he noted.

Jorge Jesus’s passion for the game remains undiminished at 70, and his admiration for Ronaldo reflects not just personal respect, but a broader frustration with how legends are treated once their peak years have passed.

As Ronaldo enters what could be the final phase of his storied career, it’s clear he still has the trust and admiration of one of the most accomplished coaches in modern football.