Ronaldo Possibly Luring Ex-Benfica Coach Jorge Jesus to Al Nassr

A phone call from Riyadh has shuffled the early-summer news cycle in Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo – still chasing the almost mythical 1,000-goal mark – persuaded veteran coach Jorge Jesus to fly back to Saudi Arabia, this time to steer Al Nassr after an underwhelming, trophy-light period. For foreigners living in Portugal who follow local football heroes almost as closely as exchange rates, the move raises fresh questions about Saudi ambitions, Portuguese coaching pedigree and what success in the Gulf might mean for the game back home.

Why the Gulf move resonates beyond Saudi borders

For many expats, Portugal’s seleção is a cultural touchstone that helps bridge continents. Seeing two of its biggest personalities reunite abroad – and on vast pay packets – underscores how Portuguese talent has become a sought-after export, not only in Europe but also in the Middle East’s cash-rich leagues. It is a reminder that watching Primeira Liga highlights in Lisbon cafés now means tracking future stars that Riyadh or Doha could lure away next. At the same time, the influx of petrodollars may ripple back to Portugal through transfer fees, coaching vacancies and even fan tourism once Saudis begin chasing pre-season fixtures on the Algarve.

Ronaldo’s personal pitch: the magnet no coach could refuse

Ronaldo has used his captain’s armband as an informal sporting-director badge since landing in the Saudi Pro League at the end of 2022. Sources close to the forward say he phoned Jesus in early July with a two-part mission: reclaim a league title that has eluded Al Nassr since 2019 and keep the 40-year-old striker’s scoring appetite well fed. The pair share language, competitive streak – and an understanding that another blank season would dent the broader Saudi project. Jesus joked at Lisbon airport that he is “going to help Cristiano finish the only chapter he hasn’t written yet,” a reference to those elusive domestic trophies.

What Jorge Jesus brings after his Al Hilal stint

Aged 70 but still famed for animated touchline theatrics, Jesus returns with a point to prove. His first Saudi adventure with city rivals Al Hilal produced a league title and a run to the Asian Champions League final, yet he exited in May amid boardroom reshuffles. Supporters remember the massively successful spells at Benfica and Flamengo – silverware magnets built on intense pressing and positional rotations. If he can translate that blueprint to a squad headlined by Ronaldo, Aymeric Laporte and midfield metronome Marcelo Brozović, Al Nassr’s attack could morph into the high-scoring juggernaut investors crave.

Contract numbers and the fine print

Club officials confirmed the deal on 14 July. It is a one-year contract reportedly worth close to $15 million after tax – nearly triple what most Primeira Liga coaches earn in a decade. While earlier leaks mentioned €7 million, the latest filings to the Saudi sports ministry list the dollar figure. There is no automatic extension clause, yet both sides will revisit talks next spring if a league title or Asian trophy lands in the cabinet. Performance bonuses are believed to hinge on meeting three thresholds: winning the Saudi Pro League, reaching the AFC Champions League final and keeping Ronaldo’s goal tally above 40 for the season.

A league awash with oil money – and expectations

Al Nassr’s board, fueled by the Public Investment Fund that also controls Newcastle United, sees Jesus as a cornerstone in the Saudi Pro League’s “Vision 2030” push to become a top-10 competition globally. The league will vote next month on raising the foreign-player quota from 8 to 10, a move designed to attract the likes of Rafael Leão, Rodrygo and Kaoru Mitoma – all names circulated in Riyadh gossip circles. For expats following the debate over European clubs’ dominance, Saudi Arabia’s model offers a contrasting playbook: state-backed spending now, commercial sustainability later. Critics question whether attendance and TV audiences will grow fast enough; proponents highlight Neymar, Benzema and now a Portuguese tactical icon as game-changers.

What to watch this season – and why it matters back in Portugal

The first benchmark arrives in late August when Al Nassr face title-holders Al Hilal in the Riyadh derby, a fixture that will test Jesus’s early influence and perhaps Ronaldo’s fitness management at 40. September brings the Asian Champions League group stage, where Portuguese scouts often lurk to identify hidden talent. Should Jesus deliver, his success could strengthen the already lucrative coaching pipeline from Lisbon to the Gulf, opening doors for up-and-coming tacticians from the Liga 3 to earn life-changing contracts abroad. Conversely, failure could dim the Saudi league’s shine just as UEFA weighs reforms to curb excessive spending. Either way, expats can expect more Portuguese headlines originating from the Arabian desert – and another reason to keep late-night streaming subscriptions active.