Jose Mourinho has reacted to the news of Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to end his adventure with the Portugal national team. The Real Madrid coach praised his compatriot’s choice, stressing that it must be respected, while adding that Ronaldo has not yet closed his career as a footballer.
“His decision must be respected and I respect it. He has not ended his career,” Mourinho said, commenting on the situation of the Portuguese star, who is currently playing with Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Furthermore, the Portuguese coach stressed that those who know Ronaldo well know that he still has objectives to achieve in football.
“Whoever knows him, knows that he still has goals. The only thing I want to say is that the day he retires from football as a player will be a different day,” Mourinho declared.
Asked whether he sees Ronaldo in the future as a football coach, the Portuguese tactician did not give a definitive answer.
“If one day I see him as a coach? I don’t know what to say. It is still too early to talk about that,” he concluded.
Mourinho and Ronaldo share a history at Real Madrid, where they shared the same dressing room during the 2010-2013 period. An important period for both, in which they won titles and built one of the most outstanding chapters in the history of the Madrid club.