Former Manchester United assistant coach, Rene Meulensteen, believes that Al Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo could eventually take on the role of manager for the Portugal national football team.
This perspective comes at a time when Ronaldo is nearing a significant milestone—approaching 1,000 career goals. He remains the only male player to have surpassed the remarkable 900-goal mark, showcasing his enduring talent and dedication to the game.
At 39 years old, there are increasing calls from football fans for the legendary forward to consider retirement from professional football.
While Ronaldo has consistently demonstrated his remarkable skills and athleticism, it’s clear that his playing career won’t last forever, prompting discussions about his next chapter.
Meulensteen, who worked closely with Ronaldo during his early years at Manchester United, has also weighed in on Ronaldo’s future. In a recent interview with Mega Dice and GOAL, Meulensteen reflected on Ronaldo’s evolution from a promising young talent to one of the greatest players in football history.
“I only know Cristiano when he was coming into the senior team as a young, developing player who made a huge impact,” Meulensteen said.
When asked about Ronaldo’s potential ambitions to take up a managerial role, Meulensteen admitted that he isn’t sure if Ronaldo has set his sights on coaching. However, he believes it’s a possibility worth considering.
“Whether he has the ambition to become a manager, I don’t know. Maybe,” Meulensteen said.
He also highlighted Ronaldo’s deep connection to his national team, suggesting that it wouldn’t be surprising if the player harboured aspirations of leading Portugal one day.
“Would he like to manage Portugal in the future? I’d probably say yes because he’s so passionate about representing Portugal. I could see him wanting that,” Meulensteen added.
