Portuguese also states that the 28-year-old is “the most professional player I’ve ever met”.
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Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho has claimed that working together for three years with Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo at the Santiago Bernabeu “was the highlight of my career”, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
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The two compatriots spent three seasons together in the Spanish capital between 2010 and 2013, during which time los Blancos finally brought an end to arch rivals FC Barcelona’s domination of the Spanish league by winning the 2012 Liga title, while the club also claimed the 2011 Copa del Rey crown as well, beating the Catalans in the final at the Mestalla.
However, despite the Portugal international managing to hit the back of the net on an incredible 168 occasions in total in just 164 matches in all competitions under the guidance of the self-styled ‘Special One’, the duo were unable to bring home the coveted Uefa Champions League title that the Madrid fans craved so much for a tenth time in the club’s illustrious history.
“Coaching him was the highlight of my career,” Mourinho told renowned French sports publication France Football.
“He’s the most professional player I’ve ever met.”
Meanwhile, the Portuguese also went on to deny recent claims in the Press that the two men fell out in spectacular fashion towards the end of their time working together at the Bernabeu.
“A coach and player may have their differences at a given time, but it ends there. I don’t have any problem,” added Mourinho.
“Being at a club with Cristiano Ronaldo is the best thing to have happened to me. Why? Because if I let him pass ahead of me he would be mobbed immediately, and I would be free to pass by in no hurry.”