Veteran Portuguese boss Jorge Jesus is back in Saudi Arabian football, after signing a one-year contract to manage Al Nassr for the upcoming 2025-26 Pro League season.
As ever the move has been reported within the prism of Cristiano Ronaldo news. At Al Nassr, Jesus will work with CR7 for the first time, and the Portugal captain was quick to welcome his countryman on social media. Seleção international Otávio is also with the Riyadh club, who are aiming to win their first Saudi title since 2019.
Jesus travelled to Saudi Arabia on Monday, from Humberto Delgado airport in Lisbon, to finalise the deal. His return to the country comes just two months after leaving Al Hilal, where he won the Pro League in 2024, setting an all-time world record for consecutive victories along the way.
من المطار إلى مقـرّ العمل ..
— نادي النصر السعودي (@AlNassrFC) July 15, 2025
نأخذكم في جولةٍ مع السيد جيسوس نحو ناديه #النصر 💛 pic.twitter.com/gWJJtml3Av
“Welcome, Mister..” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram on Tuesday, the day after the news was confirmed. Ronaldo has spent 2.5 years in Saudi Arabia, where he has amassed a remarkable goalscoring record of 99 goals in 111 games, but is yet to achieve collective success with Al Nassr, where he recently extended his contract.
Another positive aspect of the deal to bring Jesus to the club is the influence of Al Nassr’s new technical advisor: José Semedo. A childhood friend of Ronaldo’s, former Sporting midfielder Semedo’s role in recruitment was a personal request, with the two reuniting in a professional capacity for the first time in over 20 years.
Cristiano Ronaldo has never forgotten his childhood friend, José Semedo. When Semedo lost his wife suddenly in 2021, Ronaldo said they would stick together.
— Sean Gillen (@SeanGillen9) July 15, 2025
Today, Semedo - Al Nassr's technical director as per Ronaldo's request - introduced new boss Jorge Jesus to the club. pic.twitter.com/a2e7UXshQt
By @SeanGillen9
