I turned him into a goalscorer — Jose Mourinho opens up on relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo

I turned him into a goalscorer — Jose Mourinho opens up on relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo

Ifeanyi Ufomadu 12:16 - 16.02.2024

Legendary manager Jose Mourinho has revealed how he turned Cristiano Ronaldo into a goal-scoring machine.

Jose Mourinho managed Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid for 3 seasons between 2009 and 2012.

The Portuguese tactician led Los Blancos to the Copa del Rey in 2011 and edged Barcelona to the 2011/12 La Liga title.

Ronaldo was a huge part of that successful run and Mourinho has spoken of how he transformed his game.

Mourinho speaks on time with Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid

He said: "Motivation, you don't need to give it to Ronaldo. Ambition, responsibility, you cannot give him. Technically, you cannot give him. It's just to give him some tactical adjustments and let the guy be happy."

The ex-Chelsea boss added: 

"I think Madrid, for him, was a little bit of a transition because for you, he was a winger. "Right winger, left winger, out wide, dribbling, attacking people, beating people. "In Madrid, he became more the goalscorer he was for the rest of his career.

"Probably the first time he played as a striker in a big match was Real Madrid vs Barcelona in the cup final where he scored an amazing goal, an amazing header in extra-time.

 "Probably that was the beginning of people having a feeling that animal could be a goalscorer and not just a pure winger.

"We protected the balance for him by using Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira behind."