“He was very focused” - Tennis star Ons Jabeur opens up on ‘unbelievable’ moment with Cristiano Ronaldo
Former WTA World No. 2 Ons Jabeur has reminisced a special moment with Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old has been with the Saudi Pro League giants since December 2022.
Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the best players in the game's history, scoring a record 907 goals for club and country in his illustrious career spnning more than two decades.
In Riyadh for the ongoing WTA Finals, Jabeur had a chance to meet Ronaldo and shared her experience with Sky Sports Tennis (via The Tennis Gazzette):
“I couldn’t believe. He’s really an inspiration to me. As an athlete, his dedication to the sport is unbelievable. He was very focused doing his routine. It was unbelievable and an honour to meet him."
She added about Neymar, another top star in the Saudi Pro League:
“Neymar was different. I had to talk to him. He loves tennis, and he watches it. I asked him if he wants to play tennis, but he said he’s not very good, so, maybe, we’ll do a mixed double with the other Ronaldo, the Brazilian one; he loves tennis.”
While Neymar faces another spell on the sidelines after recently returning from a year-long injury layoff, his team - Al-Hilal - are once again the team to beat. They lead Ronaldo's Al-Nassr by six points after nine games.
Teddy Sheringham tips Cristiano Ronaldo to return to Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo spent a hugely successful six-season spell at Manchester United since arriving from Sporting CP in the summer of 2003 as a precocious teenager.
He would go on to spend successful stints with Real Madrid and Juventus before returning to his old stomping ground in 2021. However, his second spell didn't go as expected.
After a decent first season, Ronaldo fell out of favour under Erik ten Hag. He eventually had his contract mutually terminated following a controversial interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan where he had a go at the manager and hierarchy.
Fast forward two years, Ten Hag has been replaced by Sporting boss Ruben Amorim. Former United striker Teddy Sheringham believes it could lure Ronaldo to Old Trafford, not necessarily as a player, though (as per Flash Score via talkSPORT).
“Cristiano Ronaldo would be very welcome back at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, but he is onto bigger and better things. I think that Ronaldo will follow in the path of David Beckham in doing things away from coaching, higher profile things around the world."
Ronaldo has scored 145 times across two spells for the Red Devils, winnng three Premier League and one UEFA Champions League.