Former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, who now coaches Al-Nassr, has shared his experiences managing Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Pioli praised Ronaldo's professionalism and dedication, highlighting his eagerness to learn and contribute to the team. He contrasted Ronaldo's approach with Ibrahimovic's more dominant personality, recognizing the unique challenges and rewards of coaching both legends.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is still flying high with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League at 39 years old while the big Swede hung up his boots at AC Milan in 2023 at the age of 41. And one man has managed them both - former Milan boss Stefano Pioli . The Italian revealed all when he sat down with La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the the Supercoppa Italiana final between Inter and Milan.
It has been eight months since he departed left San Siro having won the club a Serie A title. Now he finds himself in the Al-Nassr dugout working with the former Real Madrid star on a daily basis. The Italian tactician has seen the Portuguese superstar's dedication first hand. He said: "If I arrive half an hour early, he’s there 25 minutes early. He’s always the first to get on the bus. He’s a perfectionist who demands a lot from himself and from others.
When asked how CR7 and Zlatan compare to coach: "They are different characters. Ibra was impetuous and had a dominant personality. Cristiano is a legend, he’s global, enormous. He has a thousand official goals in the back of his mind. He will score them, he’s not far off." Pioli and Ibrahimovic had a strong working relationship at the Rossoneri, but it was not all plain sailing. He commented: “He wrote to me when I signed for Al-Nassr. I congratulated him after Madrid . We hugged when we saw each other here in Riyadh. It was a pleasure to coach him - not easy - but that’s also part of why it was a pleasure. He will definitely remember an important ‘discussion’ we had in my office.
Cristiano Ronaldo Zlatan Ibrahimovic Stefano Pioli Al-Nassr AC Milan
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