Sarri: Cristiano Ronaldo and three ex-Chelsea stars among the best I’ve coached | OneFootball

Maurizio Sarri has named some of the best players he’s coached in his career, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Dries Mertens and N’Golo Kanté.

Lazio boss Sarri released an interview with Radio Serie A, just a few hours before a Serie A match against Milan at San Siro.

Sarri started his career as a coach in the lower divisions in Italy, but eventually made it to professional football, even winning the Serie A title with Juventus and the Europa League with Chelsea.

Sarri has worked with some of the best players in the world in the last decade, and during his latest interview, he named the most impressive footballers he’s coached.

Sarri names the best players he’s coached

PISA, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Maurizio Sarri manager of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and SS Lazio at Arena Garibaldi on October 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“It depends on the moment and the role. I’ve coached many strong players. Obviously, when you coach Cristiano Ronaldo, who scores 32 or 33 goals in the league, we are talking about a decisive player,” the Lazio boss said via Corriere dello Sport.

“But Higuain at Napoli was also decisive, and the same goes for Mertens.

Sarri names ‘underrated’ Napoli player

VILLARREAL, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 30: Raul Albiol of Villarreal CF looks on as he warms up prior to the LaLiga match between Villarreal CF and UD Las Palmas at Estadio de la Ceramica on September 30, 2024 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

“I had extraordinary midfielders at Chelsea, such as Kovacic, Kanté and Jorginho and excellent defenders like Koulibaly. Albiol has often been underestimated, and I won’t forget Marek Hamsik, a midfielder who, perhaps, accomplished less than he could because of his sweet personality. Such a midfielder would be very useful for my Lazio side.”

Sarri’s Lazio have collected three wins in the last five Serie A matches and are currently six points below a Champions League spot.

Sarri returned to Lazio last summer after the Biancocelesti had sacked him in March 2024.