Al-Nassr boss says Cristiano Ronaldo is biggest show in Hong Kong
Jorge Jesus pays tribute to superstar’s pulling power, aiming to end fellow Portuguese’s trophy drought in Saudi Super Cup final
Jorge Jesus acknowledged the pulling power of “global phenomenon” Cristiano Ronaldo lured more than 30,000 people to watch his Al-Nassr team beat Al-Ittihad in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
Supporters turned the tired Hong Kong Stadium into a colourful corner of Riyadh, as they roared Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr into Saturday’s Saudi Super Cup final.
The 2-1 victory over last season’s league and cup winners Al-Ittihad was all the more impressive for the fact Jesus’ team played with 10 men for more than an hour following a red card for Sadio Mane.
Ronaldo laid on the winning goal for fellow Portuguese Joao Felix after 61 minutes.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is different from any other player in the world for his prestige and his professionalism throughout his career,” head coach Jesus said. “Ninety per cent of the fans who came to the stadium came to see Cristiano.
Ronaldo thrills as Al-Nassr reaches Saudi Super Cup final
“He’s a global phenomenon. In Portugal, we cannot even begin to quantify his worth.”