Jose Mourinho has dismissed rumours of Cristiano Ronaldo joining him at Fenerbahce in Turkey next season, describing the reports as “ridiculous”. The Portuguese manager, who previously worked with Ronaldo at Real Madrid, was said to have called the veteran forward and urged him to join the Turkish Super Lig club.
However, speaking to reporters on Sunday, Mourinho refuted the report, suggesting that the only reason Ronaldo might visit Istanbul would be to share a meal. “News about Cristiano Ronaldo to Fenerbahce are ridiculous,” he said. “Cristiano might come to Istanbul to eat because it’s right in the middle of the road between Saudi and Portugal. Or maybe he’ll come see his old friend Jose, we can eat at my hotel!”
Ronaldo, 39, is currently in the final year of his contract with Al-Nassr, but is expected to sign a new deal with the Saudi giants soon. He has expressed his desire to continue playing beyond the 2024-25 campaign.
Mourinho’s comments come ahead of Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League clash against Al-Gharafa on Monday, in which Ronaldo is expected to feature. The Portugal captain will be looking to help his side advance to the next round of the competition.
The reports of a potential reunion between Mourinho and Ronaldo had sparked excitement among fans, but the Fenerbahce boss’s denial has put an end to speculation for now. Instead, it seems that any meeting between the two will be limited to a friendly meal in Istanbul.
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