Angelo says Jorge Jesus transformed his career by moving him into midfield after the Brazilian helped Al Nassr beat Al Riyadh 4-0 in the Saudi Pro League.
The 21-year-old was one of the outstanding players at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh on Friday, creating Al Nassr’s opening goal for Saudi defender Abdullah Al-Amri before scoring the second himself.
Speaking to Thamanya after the match, Angelo praised the collective performance and said the result reflected the work of the entire squad.
“First of all, before everything, I would like to say thank God for everything, but I think this result is the result of the whole group,” he said.
“I am very proud of our group because we gave our best on the pitch, applied our style and our organisation on the field, and this is our source of strength. That is why we are champions, and that is what matters.”
Al Nassr had started the campaign with a clear statement of intent, and Friday’s emphatic victory continued their positive early-season form. The victory came in the second round of the Saudi Pro League and gave Angelo an opportunity to underline his growing influence in a new position.
“Let us continue moving forward, because we are still at the beginning,” he added. “So I am happy and proud of the team. The important thing is that we keep moving forward.”
Angelo reserved particular praise for Jesus, the Portuguese coach who managed Al Nassr last season. Jesus was the first manager to move him from the right-wing position into central midfield, a tactical change that played a major role in the Brazilian’s improved performances.
“Jorge Jesus changed my position, and I am very grateful to him because he changed my life and changed everything in my career,” Angelo said.
“Now I can show my abilities more. I will continue in this way. I am very happy and I feel comfortable.”
Jesus’ decision to reposition the player has helped Angelo establish himself more prominently in the centre of the pitch, where he has been able to contribute both creatively and in front of goal. His assist and strike against Al Riyadh illustrated the influence he can have from that role.
The midfielder repeated his appreciation for his former manager in a post-match message shared alongside footage of his interview.
“I am grateful to Jesus because he changed my life by changing my position, and I feel comfortable in this position,” Angelo said.
The result strengthened Al Nassr’s start to the season, while Angelo’s performance provided further evidence of the impact of the positional switch that Jesus introduced during the previous campaign. униң
