Saha predicts Cristiano Ronaldo future as a top manager
Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to follow in the footsteps of legendary managers like Diego Simeone and Zinedine Zidane once he retires from playing.
Despite being 39 years old, the Portuguese superstar continues to perform at the highest level scoring 50 goals for Al-Nassr last season and competing in Euro 2024.
But when the time comes for Ronaldo to hang up his boots many believe he has the potential to excel in a new role on the sidelines.
Former Manchester United teammate Louis Saha is confident in Ronaldo’s future as a manager. Speaking to CSDB.gg, Saha said,
“Cristiano Ronaldo has the ability to be a very successful manager, we’ve seen his energy and his passion. He’d have the desire of Diego Simeone and the credibility of Zinedine Zidane. That combination as well as all his experience of working under Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti as well as Sir Alex Ferguson, the knowledge he would bring is crazy. It’s not just about football but he represents so much in terms of how you should conduct yourself and go about achieving your goals, he could be a manager, a club president. It’s admirable what he has done, he’s a human being that makes mistakes like anybody but he has never stopped working hard.”
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A Legacy Beyond the Pitch
Ronaldo’s achievements on the field are unmatched and while he has no financial need to continue in football after retirement his drive and dedication suggest that a career in management could be on the horizon. Saha also praised Ronaldo’s influence beyond football saying:
“Cristiano Ronaldo has proven everything he needs to prove, he has no obligation to do anything else now – he has done it all. He is the best ambassador of sport in general, I haven’t seen any athlete in the world who has sacrificed as much as he has. Some will call him obsessed or crazy but he is the greatest to ever do it. I respect the player and the man and not just because I played with him, it doesn’t matter where he ends up retiring because of what he has done in the game.”
Ronaldo is currently back with Al-Nassr, with one year left on his contract.
There is speculation about his future with some suggesting he may continue playing until the 2026 World Cup or even return to his first club Sporting Lisbon.
Regardless of where he ends up Ronaldo’s impact on the game is undeniable and many are excited to see what he could achieve as a manager.