Jardel reveals behind the scenes with Cristiano Ronaldo at Sporting: ‘I called him juvenile’ By Thiago Lemos
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Jardel, a football legend with spells at major European clubs, shares his perspective on the center forward position. The former striker discusses the lessons he taught to a young Cristiano Ronaldo and analyzes the current scenario of the Brazilian team.
The player, nicknamed “Supermario”, already had a successful career in Europe when he came into contact with Cristiano Ronaldo, then in Sporting’s youth teams. The former center forward describes that the close relationship developed during training, where the Portuguese star assimilated lessons that influenced his trajectory.
“When I arrived at Sporting, in Lisbon, after leaving Galatasaray, I called him [Cristiano Ronaldo] to train, he asked me to cross the ball”, revealed Jardel. The former striker talked about the time, emphasizing that he instructed him with the nickname “youthful”: “Cross, youthful, at my head and learn to head it.” Jardel stated that the star “learned a lot, so much so that he has almost a thousand goals”.
The duo of Jardel and Cristiano Ronaldo were together in Sporting’s attack in 17 matches in the 2002/03 season. During that period, the Brazilian athlete found the net five times, while the young CR7 scored three goals.
Jardel’s analysis of the center forward position in the Brazilian team
The former Ceará striker believes that Brazilian football lacks strikers with good aerial play. Despite his prolific career as a goalscorer, Jardel demonstrated humility, admitting that even at his peak he would struggle to secure a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s current squad.
“I wouldn’t be a starter, but I would be a very good option as a substitute and I would try to solve it with an aerial ball in the penalty area”, said Mário Jardel.
Jardel observes that the absence of good aerial ball attackers is a challenge present not only in the Seleção, but also in Brazilian clubs. He underlines the importance of this foundation being taught from the youth ranks to developing new decisive center forwards.
“It was easier to play in the past, because the ball reached more, and we were more united, we gave more of ourselves”, believed the former player.
According to Mário Jardel, “modern” football, characterized by the exchange of passes and associative play, has reduced the space for the role of the traditional number 9 shirt. With the evolution of the sport, the former center forward reinforces that the fundamentals, such as the headers he taught to Cristiano Ronaldo, need to be passed on to the youth teams.
The inspirations and teachers in Jardel’s career
Although he stood out on the pitch as an excellent number 9, Jardel found Zico to be his greatest inspiration. Mário’s childhood and youth in Fortaleza were marked by watching “Galinho” on television. The desire to reproduce dribbling in informal games with friends led him to seek lessons that proved to be crucial in his journey.
Among the various technicians who accompanied him throughout his career, Jardel fondly remembers the lessons he received from Edmundo Silveira and Felipão. He considers them both to be the most significant coaches in his life.
Jardel’s opinion on the current situation of the big clubs
Even away from the day-to-day activities of professional football, Jardel continues to follow Brazilian teams. He expressed concern about the situation faced by teams fighting against relegation in the Brazilian Championship and lamented the delicate period of Grêmio, his former club.
“It’s a difficult situation that Grêmio is going through, not only it, but Inter, Vasco and other big clubs, Santos, São Paulo, who haven’t been doing well. Even Ceará, which has a big fan base, has been making signings that are not acceptable given the power it has, and this is very bad for Ceará football”, said Jardel, a former Grêmio and Vasco striker, about the football panorama in the country.
With a successful career and titles won by clubs such as Vasco, Grêmio, Porto, Sporting and Galatasaray, Mário Jardel currently resides in the capital of Ceará. On his days off, the former striker likes to get together with friends and participate in charity matches, such as the one played on September 3, 2026, between Fortaleza idols and the Ceará Master Team, at the Presidente Vargas stadium.
