SPAIN: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Cristiano Ronaldo thought he knew it all, says 'Special One' Jose Mourinho

Record ID: 184168

  • Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Cristiano Ronaldo thought he knew it all, says 'Special One' Jose Mourinho
  • Date: 5th June 2013
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (FILE) (REUTERS) RONALDO AT TRAINING SESSION OBIDOS, PORTUGAL FILE) (REUTERS) RONALDO TRAINING WITH PORTUGUESE NATIONAL TEAM
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA9UICE9LB1F1R8NSFH2N33XR6O
  • Story Text: Self-proclaimed 'Special One' Jose Mourinho had only one problem with Cristiano Ronaldo when he coached him at Real Madrid -- he thought the world's most expensive player was a bit of a know-it-all.
    Ronaldo joined Real from Manchester United for around 90 million euros ($118 million) in 2009 and took his goalscoring exploits to new heights under Mourinho, who left Real Madrid to rejoin Chelsea as manager earlier this week.
    Asked in an interview with Spanish television show Punto Pelota why his relationship with Ronaldo had broken down towards the end of the season just gone, Mourinho said the player had not taken criticism well.
    The interview was carried out over the weekend and released on Tuesday (June 4)
    "I had only one problem with him, very simple, very basic, which was when a coach criticises a player from a tactical viewpoint trying to improve what in my view could have been improved," he added.
    "And at that moment he didn't take it very well because maybe he thinks he knows everything and the coach cannot help him to develop further."
    Mourinho also said Ronaldo has had three fantastic seasons with him.
    "I think we created a fantastic situation for him tactically in which he could express all his potential and turn that into records and goals," he said.
    Real's failure to win major silverware last season and reports of division in the dressing room have prompted speculation Ronaldo, whose contract runs until June 2015, may be seeking a move away from the Spanish capital.
    Club President Florentino Perez has said the 28-year-old would stay and help Real win the 10th European crown they have been chasing since their last continental success in 2002.
    "Cristiano Ronaldo is priceless," Perez, who was returned unopposed for another four-year term this week, told an Internet chat organised by El Mundo newspaper on Tuesday.
    "We will do it (win the 10th European title)," he added. "And Cristiano will score a goal in the final."
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register