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Jorge Jesus Challenging Al Nassr To Compete Without Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Bothered’ Luis Castro

Published Dec 21, 2023 | 10:09 AM EST

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Luis Castro has finally addressed the earlier comments made by Al Hilal boss, Jorge Jesus. Recently, Jesus made some controversial comments, implying that Al Nassr’s success was solely dependent on the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo. This, however, hasn’t sat well with Castro, but he refused to comment on a peer’s word.

After a high-stakes match between Al Nassr and Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Jesus posed a challenge to Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. He said, “I want to see what would become of Al Nassr without Ronaldo.” He even went as far as to showcase how Al Hilal was on top of the league table even without their injured star player, Neymar Jr.

Castro opens up after almost 2 weeks on the comment about competing without Cristiano Ronaldo

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It took a few weeks, but the 62-year-old finally addressed Jorge Jesus’ comments in a recent interview. When asked about the Al Hilal manager’s challenge and whether Al Nassr could compete without the 5x Ballon d’Or winner, Luis Castro admitted, “At that time it bothered me a lot.” However, he also showed restraint by saying, “But I will not comment on a colleague’s words.” This response suggests that Castro was not particularly appreciative of the Al Hilal coach’s words.

This exchange between the two Portuguese coaches adds another layer of spice to their already fierce rivalry. The tension between them seems to have escalated following the Riyadh Derby. It began when Luis Castro publicly accused the referee of biased decisions during their encounter, and it only grew worse when Jorge Jesus harshly criticized Al Nassr for ‘crying‘.

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The Castro-Jesus rivalry further heats up in the deserts of Saudi

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During Al Hilal’s 3-0 win over Al Nassr, a few controversial refereeing decisions took place. This includes Cristiano Ronaldo’s offside goal and a questionable challenge from Al Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bounou that went unpunished. Expressing his frustration, Luis Castro after the match stated, “The referee is the one who made Al Hilal win today.”

Also Read: “Cristiano Ronaldo Is Still the Best Player in the World” – Al Nassr Boss Luis Castro

Responding to these bold remarks, Jorge Jesus fired back with scathing criticism, comparing the situation to their own challenges. Did we cry when Neymar was injured despite his importance to the team?“, questioned the 69-year-old. As this rivalry between Al Nassr and Al Hilal unfolds, it will be intriguing to see who wins the Saudi Pro League this season.

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Written by:

Saransh Chauhan

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My name is Saransh Chauhan and I am an experienced soccer writer at EssentiallySports. With over a year of experience at EssentiallySports, I have covered various aspects of the magnificent sport. While I strive to provide comprehensive coverage of core sports topics, I also explore off-court and entertainment subjects.
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Edited by:

Daniel D'Cruz