Scolari: Ronaldo Not the Best Player I’ve Coached

In a recent interview, Luiz Felipe Scolari, the former coach of Portugal, revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo is not the best player he has ever coached. This surprising statement comes from a man with a managerial career spanning over four decades, encompassing 31 spells at 22 different teams.

Scolari, now 75, has accumulated 31 trophies with top teams including Brazil, Portugal, Chelsea, and Palmeiras. Throughout his illustrious career, he has worked with football legends like Ronaldo Nazario, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo, and Salomon Kalou.

Reflecting on his tenure with Portugal from 2004 to 2008, Scolari acknowledged Ronaldo’s talent and significant contributions to the national team. However, he stopped short of labeling him the best player he has coached.

“When I coached him in the national team, it was clear that he had a lot of quality. We were very successful in our project, and he was an important player in that,” Scolari told Arabic outlet winwin, via A Bola. “I can’t say that Cristiano is the best player I’ve ever coached because I worked with many special players who still play today.”

This revelation adds a nuanced perspective to the debate about Ronaldo’s standing among the greatest footballers, highlighting the wealth of talent Scolari has managed over his extensive career.