Former Manchester United assistant coach Rene Meulensteen believes that Al Nassr forward, Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially take on the role of manager for the Portugal national football team in the future.
This assertion comes at a time when Cristiano Ronaldo is nearing an astonishing milestone—approaching 1,000 career goals. He is currently the only male player in history to have surpassed the remarkable achievement of 900 career goals, a testament to his enduring talent and dedication to the sport.
At 39 years old, there are growing calls from football enthusiasts for the legendary forward to consider retirement from playing professional football.
While Ronaldo has showcased his remarkable skills and athleticism on the field, it is evident that he cannot continue his playing career indefinitely, and discussions about his next chapter have become increasingly pertinent.
Among those discussing his future is Meulensteen, who spent considerable time working alongside Ronaldo during his early years at Manchester United.
In a recent interview with Mega Dice and GOAL, he reflected on Ronaldo’s journey from a young, ambitious talent to one of the most successful athletes in football history.
Meulensteen noted, “I only know Cristiano when he was coming into the seniors as a young, upcoming, growing player that made a massive impact.”
When asked about Ronaldo’s potential aspirations for a managerial role, Meulensteen admitted that while he is uncertain of Ronaldo’s specific ambitions in coaching, he believes it is a possibility worth considering.
He stated, “Whether he has got that ambition to become a manager, I don’t know. Maybe.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the deep connection Ronaldo has with his national team, suggesting that it would not be surprising if the iconic player harboured dreams of leading Portugal one day.
“Would he like to manage Portugal in the future? I would probably say yes because he’s so passionate about representing Portugal. I could see him wanting that,” Meulensteen said.
