"This is what I was waiting to hear from my son" - Luis Felipe Scolari details conversation with Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Portugal manager Luiz Felipe Scolari recently shared his conversation with Al-Nassr star forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The Brazilian tactician was the forward's manager between 2003 and 2008 when he was a prolific winger.
The Portuguese netted 21 times and registered 16 assists while playing under Scolari. Together, the two also helped the Selecao reach the 2004 UEFA Euro final, where they lost to Greece by a solitary goal.
Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed his conversation with the Al-Nassr forward about life in the Middle East. Referring to Ronaldo as "son," he said (via @TheNassrZone):
“I felt happy when Cristiano Ronaldo told me: I am very happy to be here in Al Nassr and I live well here, This is what I was waiting to hear from my son who has worked with me for many years.”
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in a rich vein of form this season, scoring for the Knights of Najd in six of their last seven games across competitions. The Portuguese joined Al-Nassr in January 2023. He has already become their fourth-highest goalscorer with 64 goals and 17 assists in 71 games across competitions.
Last season, he broke the record for the most goals scored in a single season of the Saudi Pro League. Netting 35 league goals in his first full season, Ronaldo bettered Abderrazak Hamdallah's 34-goal season for Al-Nassr set in 2019.
"He deserves it" - Luiz Felipe Scolari congratulated Cristiano Ronaldo before Euro 2024
Luiz Felipe Scolari had kind words for Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Portugal's first clash against Czechia at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. The Portuguese forward made his record-breaking sixth European Championship appearance for his national in their first group-stage match on June 18.
Speaking about Ronaldo in an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via @TheNassrZone ), Luiz Felipe Scolari said:
“Nothing changed. Cristiano was always loyal, he was always an example of that different player, the one who paid attention to the smallest details. He was interested in being useful within his characteristics and he improved those same characteristics every day with much greater effort."
He continued:
"Since then, I have seen the same Cristiano, with the same desire, dedication and perseverance as always. I'm glad he's having a great moment at 39 years old, because he deserves it.”
Unfortunately, Portugal were eliminated from Euro 2024 in the quarter-final against France. After a goalless first 120 minutes, French goalkeeper Mike Maignan's heroic display helped Les Bleus clinch a 5-3 win on penalties. Ronaldo could only provide one assist in the tournament.