Former England star Michael Owen believes Cristiano Ronaldo has shown promising signs of a future coaching career, particularly during the Euro 2016 final when he was sidelined by injury.
In an interview with TV Sporten, Owen discussed how both Ronaldo and Messi, having been integral to football for so long, are unlikely to leave the sport entirely after retirement. He emphasized that Ronaldo seems better positioned to embark on a coaching career. Owen shared with GOAL: “I’m very intrigued to see what Ronaldo will do after he retires. At 39, he’s nearing the end of his playing days. Football is such a part of both his and Messi’s lives that I don’t see them leaving the sport entirely.
“It’s noteworthy that they both have aspirations of owning a club. With their substantial wealth, they are among the few players who could potentially buy a major club, which might take precedence over coaching. However, I believe Ronaldo has a stronger chance of becoming a coach compared to Messi.”
Football expert Owen believes superstar Ronaldo is more likely to become a manager than Messi. Photo: GETTY.
Owen mentioned the situation at the Euro 2016 final, after getting injured and having to be replaced in the 25th minute, superstar Ronaldo stayed alongside Portugal coach Fernando Santos for the rest of the match. His team eventually won 1-0 against France. Owen highlighted this event and added: “Only from the outside, it looks like Ronaldo wants to stay on the sidelines to lead the Portuguese team like he did at Euro 2016.
Ronaldo looks like a real coach. He showed that he really wanted to take charge in a match. I have no doubt that Ronaldo is following the path of a coach. A job with the Portuguese national team, perhaps in the future, will bear Ronaldo’s name. He can do it. Of course, if Ronaldo does well, big teams like Manchester United and Real Madrid will be watching him.”
Recently, superstar Ronaldo confirmed that he has 2-3 years left to play professionally. Lionel Messi also said that his retirement date is not far away and that Inter Miami is likely to be the Argentine star’s last club.
Ronaldo had the same instructions as coach Santos in the Euro 2016 final. Photo: GETTY.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United striker Louis Saha believes Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to lead the Red Devils in the future. Saha assessed that the Portuguese star has been improving his communication skills: “Ronaldo will definitely understand that he needs to find a new way of communicating when he becomes a coach, maybe not as hard as when he was playing football at the club.
Ronaldo will find a way to succeed and will use all his knowledge to achieve this. We have seen Roy Keane start down the coaching path and achieve success. Ronaldo understands what he needs to do in this role and I see no reason why he should not succeed.”
Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United in November 2022 after the club terminated his contract. The Portuguese forward joined Al Nassr and achieved many personal achievements in the Saudi Pro League.
