Jose Mourinho and Iker Casillas
Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has moved quickly to shut down chatter about his comments with regard to Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese Football Federation.
Portugal have undergone a significant change, with Jorge Jesus taking the reins and having a fall-out with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Interestingly, Mourinho was offered the job but turned it down in favour of the Madrid seat back in the summer.
The Los Blancos manager issued a direct clarification that he had nothing to say about either the player or the association.
Mourinho dismisses rumours
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, here is what Mourinho had to say.
“Too many fake news on my comments about Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese Federation,” Mourinho said.
“I did not make any comments.”
Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid
Jose Mourinho has not commented on the Portuguese situation with Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Mourinho has always been very outspoken and is an easy target for the media to attract views with fabricated words.
However, the Madrid manager has left no room for ambiguity, making it crystal clear that he has not made any comments on the situation unfolding in Portuguese football.
Ronaldo connection guarantees attention
Mourinho and Ronaldo share significant history from their time together at Real Madrid, where the Portuguese forward played under his compatriot between 2010 and 2013.
That relationship has naturally ensured that Mourinho’s views on Ronaldo continue to generate interest years later.
The fact that Mourinho is Portuguese and one of the country’s most prominent coaches only increases the scrutiny whenever the national team or federation enters the conversation.
Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid
Mourinho is right to put the focus back on Real Madrid. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
In this case, however, Mourinho seems focused on Madrid and does not have much to say about the talismanic striker.
Mourinho wants focus back on Madrid
For Los Blancos, this is an unwanted distraction surrounding their manager, who has important work to do during the international break.
Mourinho already has enough to deal with domestically after Madrid’s difficult recent results and the growing pressure to close the gap to Barcelona.
It is also a constant reminder of how using a name like Mourinho can help news spread, even when it is not factually accurate.
It was good from Mourinho to put the chatter to bed and shift the focus back to Madrid, and it remains to be seen how he goes about improving his team after the break.
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Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid
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