Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t being sidelined. He’s being preserved. Jorge Jesus didn’t need much time at Al-Nassr before making a bold call. According to Saudi journalist Falah Al Qahtani, the Portuguese coach has already decided to manage Ronaldo’s playing time this season. The target? Cut it by 25 percent. After playing 41 of 50 games last season, CR7 is expected to be rotated more often moving forward.
It’s not about minimizing his role. If anything, it’s about getting the most out of him. Jesus wants the best version of Ronaldo, not just for Al-Nassr’s title pushes, but with an eye on the 2026 World Cup, where Portugal is counting on him once again.
Why Jorge Jesus is pulling back on Cristiano Ronaldo’s minutes
Managing Ronaldo isn’t like managing any other player. Jesus has dealt with stars before, but Cristiano is a different story. He’s obsessed with being on the field. He doesn’t enjoy being subbed out. He thrives on constant involvement. But Jesus didn’t land in Saudi Arabia to coddle legends. He came to win. And for that, he needs a Ronaldo who’s firing when it matters most.
The coaching staff is already bracing for a demanding season. Domestic competitions, continental fixtures, high-intensity friendlies, Al-Nassr will have no shortage of games. At 40, even an athlete as meticulous as Ronaldo can’t maintain top form in all of them without some management. That’s where the new approach comes in: reduce wear and tear, control his training load, and make him sit out less crucial matches.
This isn't guesswork. It’s grounded in sports science. Veteran players simply take longer to recover. No matter how fit Ronaldo is, the body has limits. Playing every three days at high intensity isn’t sustainable. Trimming his minutes might be the smartest way to keep him sharp and decisive when it counts.
What Ronaldo did last season and why this shift is happening now
Ronaldo didn’t slow down last season. He led the Saudi league in scoring with 35 goals, played in 41 matches, and added four assists. On paper, he was still elite. On the pitch, he delivered. But there’s a cost to that output. Travel, training, heat, and high expectations take their toll. You don’t always see it in the stats, but it adds up.
Jorge Jesus isn’t just reacting to age. He’s planning ahead. Ronaldo recently extended his contract through 2027. That means he’ll be competing professionally past the age of 42. And the 2026 World Cup? It’s circled in red. Cristiano’s aiming to lead Portugal one last time on the world stage. To get there, he needs to be ready, not just physically, but mentally and tactically.