“Are you happy there?” - Details of Jose Mourinho’s phone call to ask Cristiano Ronaldo if he wants to join Fenerbahce come to light
According to a SPORTbible report, Jose Mourinho has asked Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo if he would like to join him at Fenerbahce. The Portuguese tactician took the hot seat in the Istanbul-based club this season and is keen to bring players, who played under him, to the team.
Mourinho and Ronaldo worked together during his stint in charge of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. The pair won the first 100-point season in LaLiga history and a Copa del Rey thanks to Ronaldo's 168 goals and 46 assists in 164 games under his tutelage.
Reports in Turkiye allege that Mourinho called the five-time Ballon d'Or winner and asked:
"Are you happy there? There is talk that you want to leave. If you leave, would you like to come to Fenerbahce?"
Cristiano Ronaldo is in the final year of his contract with Al-Nassr in Saudi Pro League and has scored 10 goals and set up three from 15 appearances this season. If he leaves the club to reunite with Jose Mourinho in Turkiye, the pair will be reunited for the first time in over a decade.
"Cristiano opened the door in terms of believing that it is possible to be there and live there" - When Jose Mourinho spoke about Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia
In March this year, Jose Mourinho spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo's impact on Saudi Arabian football following his move to Al-Nassr. The Portuguese superstar joined the Saudi Pro League side on a free transfer in January 2023 after his contract with Manchester United was mutually terminated after a fallout with then-manager Erik ten Hag.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner and globally recognized figure, brought new levels of attention to the league. Following his arrival, other players joined him in the Near East.
Speaking in an interview at the time with Fabrizio Romano, Jose Mourinho hailed his countryman's impact on the nation. He said:
"Cristiano opened the door in terms of believing that it is possible to be there and live there, to enjoy the development of a country that wants to be a different country with football that has a passion but is not developed. When I had the proposal, of course economically it was important because it was more important for me with Roma, European football and commitment. If you ask me in the future, experience has told me never say never."
The former Real Madrid legend has been an inspired signing for Al-Nassr and the Saudi Pro League in a sporting sense. The 39-year-old has been fabulous for his side, bagging 68 goals in 79 appearances to sit fourth in their all-time goalscoring charts.