Mourinho recalled one of his crosses with Cristiano Ronaldo: “I have a problem with egocentric footballers”

Jose Mourinho He is one of the most prominent football characters in recent years. His strong personality has many times led him to be news above his qualities and his achievements as a coach. And a few years ago when he took over the Real Madrid, he had to be face to face with another Portuguese of great charisma such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

For three seasons, the compatriots shared challenges and successes in the Merengue cast. But that road was not without some sparks and short circuits. One of those crosses in particular was related by Mourinho himself recently in the book Stay crazy and hungry From the writer Joao Gabriel.

“I have a problem with self-centered footballersThose who put their personal goals ahead of the team’s goals. This complicates the work, “said Mou, before going on to recall an episode in which he had to stand firm with CR7 back in 2013.

“We were in the last minute of a game with Valencia. We were coming off two consecutive draws, but we won that match 2-0. Ronaldo lost the ball after trying a dribble to Joao Pereira and Valencia almost scored. I told him that after two draws it was different to win 2-0 to 2-1. He didn’t like what I told him, but it was nothing special, “said the 58-year-old strategist, who is preparing to start a new professional challenge at the head of the Roma in Serie A in Italy.

It is not the first time that one of the clashes between these two protagonists known for their strong temperaments has transcended. Long ago, the Croatian Luka Modric He had already realized the clashes that the footballer and the coach had had at Real Madrid. “I was once really surprised by Mourinho’s angry reaction towards Cristiano Ronaldo. It was during a 2013 Copa del Rey game that we were winning 2-0: an opponent with a full back went deep in the left sector on our side, Ronaldo did not follow and Mourinho nervously yelled at him to mark him. With the action over, the coach continued to complain. A real dispute arose, ”the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner had recounted.

And he concluded: “When we got to the locker room, Ronaldo was desperate, almost on the verge of tears, and said: ‘I do my best and he continues to criticize me’. Then Mourinho came in. He stood in the center of the locker room and reproached Ronaldo angry for not being responsible during the game. The spirits warmed and in certain moment the companions had to intervene. Mourinho is like that, he has blood reactions and he says them, no matter who he is ”.

Beyond these crosses, the bond between the two has been good over the years. Even in the last few weeks It has been rumored that the DT would have called the footballer to leave Juventus and join his new project in Roma. Both share a representative and this could be one of the key factors to reissue the partnership that achieved three titles (a League, a Copa del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup) at Real Madrid.

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