Surprisingly Mourinho’s main target has been his compatriot and Real Madrid golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo, against who the former Porto boss has made a string of comments. Things started heating up between the two during Mourinho’s final days at the club, evidence of which was Ronaldo yelping out insults at his boss after scoring his 200th goal for the club against Malaga.
Ronaldo’s actions were a direct response to comments made by Jose a week before the match, who claimed that the team had failed to retain the La Liga title because they began the new season“sad”, which was the exact word Ronaldo had used to describe his emotional state after he chose not to celebrate his goals against Granada on the 2nd of September 2012.
After having his contract at Real Madrid terminated, the Portuguese coach has been increasing vocal on his criticism of the 2008 Ballon d’Or winner. Soon after being named the new head coach of Chelsea, Jose took the first opportunity to lash out at his former protégé claiming that his relationship with the Portuguese captain broke down because Ronaldo “thinks he knows everything”.
"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,” said the 50 year old.
"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 more.”
Mourinho who in his 13 year managerial career has effectively developed a reputation of being a master of words further continued with his mind games and his next move was to unsettle Ronaldo as news of the 28 year old wanting to make a return to Old Trafford made rounds.
'What I know is that Real Madrid is such a rich club they don’t need to sell and it is such a rich club I think they can eat any offer a club can have on Ronaldo.
'I know Ronaldo loves Manchester United and I know he loves the Premier League but I think he is going to stay. It’s just a feeling, no contact, nothing, just a feeling.'
While Ronaldo continued with his performance on the pitch doing all the talking, Mourinho continued testing Ronaldo’s patience by getting personal with his remarks. His next comments were focused on belittling his compatriot by claiming that Cristiano is not the “real Ronaldo”
Ronaldo however displayed an incredible level of professionalism by refusing to get carried away, even though Mourinho’s remarks were enough to instigate a distasteful response Ronaldo displayed through his actions how he had transformed from a repulsive 18 year old who joined Manchester United to a mature professional he is now.
When inquired as to what he made of Mourinho’s remarks towards him, the 28 year old reiterated:
'I don't spit on the plate I eat on.' That's how I feel. I prefer to try and remember the positive side [to Mourinho]."
Ronaldo who is rumoured to have agreed to a lucrative contract at Real Madrid which will secure his services at the Bernabeu for five more years is currently preparing for the final of the International Champions Cup where he faces Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea.
Even though the match might just be a pre-season friendly in nature and the International Champions Cup might not give the impression of a prestigious tournament, both sides will be eager to put the other down to win the competition.
All in all we are in for what could possibly be the first round of the many Ronaldo vs Mourinho battles which are to follow.
