Jose Mourinho is one of the most prominent and successful football coaches, but this does not hide the fact that major stars under his leadership have suffered emotional breakdowns and public humiliation in the pursuit of titles and football glory.
His methods have left some of the biggest names in world football visibly shattered, to the point that in some cases, they shed tears.
7 Stars Mourinho Made Cry, Including Ronaldo and Salah:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo undoubtedly played his best football under Mourinho’s leadership. He scored 120 goals in just 106 games under his Portuguese compatriot and was the standout star when Real Madrid ended Barcelona’s era of dominance by achieving a record 100 points in the 2011-2012 season.
However, tension was always present, especially in Mourinho’s final, shortened season in the Spanish capital.
Luka Modric recalls in his autobiography: “Mourinho’s reaction surprised me. We were leading 2-0 in the Copa del Rey. Ronaldo didn’t track his man on a throw-in, and Mourinho was very angry with Ronaldo.
The two argued for a long time on the pitch. When we returned to the dressing room at halftime, I saw Ronaldo upset, on the verge of tears. He said, ‘I’m doing my best, and yet he still criticizes me.’
He added, ‘Mourinho came in and started criticizing the Portuguese player for shirking his duties during the match. The disagreement escalated to the point that player intervention prevented a real fight between them.'”
The disputes between Ronaldo and Mourinho reached the point of a physical altercation.
Mesut Ozil
In his 2017 book, Ozil recounted the story of receiving harsh criticism from the former Real Madrid coach, who considered him lax in his challenges.
Ozil recalls how things reached a peak, saying, “Now Mourinho is speaking very quietly. He’s no longer quick-tempered and loud, but calm, and that makes me even angrier. How can he control himself like this when I’m about to lose my temper? I’m so angry. I wish I could throw my boot at his head. I want him to stop. To finally leave me alone.”
Mourinho said louder for everyone to hear, “You know what, Mesut? Cry if you want! Cry all you want, you’re a little kid. Go take a shower. We don’t need you.”
Ozil added, “I got up slowly, took off my boots, grabbed my towel, and walked silently past the coach to the showers, without bothering to look at him. Instead, he threw one last provocation at me: ‘You are not Zinedine Zidane, you know. No! Never, you’re not even on his level.'”
He continued, “I felt a lump in my throat. His last words were a stab in the heart. Mourinho knows exactly what he’s saying. He knows how much I admire that player. He knows the Frenchman is the only footballer I consider a role model.”
Ozil faced a humiliating situation from Mourinho.
Mohamed Salah
Salah spent a short and unsuccessful period under Mourinho at Chelsea. He played only 19 games under him, scoring two goals and providing three assists.
A former Chelsea player recounts in a podcast: “They were very unlucky because the coach, Mourinho, didn’t go easy on anyone.”
He added, “He attacked Mohamed Salah heavily at halftime, and Salah was crying heavily. We thought then that he would let him back
MADRID
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain, officially established as the capital by King Philip III in 1606. Its history dates back to a 9th-century Moorish fortress, and it later became the seat of the Spanish Habsburg and Bourbon monarchies, evolving into a major political and cultural center of the Spanish-speaking world.
SPAIN
Spain is a country in southwestern Europe with a rich and complex history, shaped by Roman rule, the Moorish conquest, and the unification of its kingdoms under the Catholic Monarchs. Its cultural sites, like the Alhambra palace and the Sagrada Família basilica, reflect this diverse heritage through unique architecture and art. Today, Spain is known for its vibrant regional cultures, languages, and traditions.
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu is the iconic home stadium of Real Madrid Football Club in Madrid, Spain. Opened in 1947 and named after the club’s legendary president, it has hosted numerous historic matches, including European Cup finals and the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and famous football clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly winning a record number of UEFA Champions League titles.
AC Milan
AC Milan is an Italian professional football club founded in 1899, originally as the Milan Cricket and Football Club. It is one of the most successful clubs in world football, renowned for its domestic and international triumphs, including numerous Serie A titles and UEFA Champions League victories.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current group and knockout format and name in 1992. It is widely considered the most prestigious club tournament in European football.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic port city in northeastern Spain, renowned for its unique Catalan culture and distinctive architecture, particularly the modernist works of Antoni Gaudí like the Sagrada Família. Founded as a Roman colony in the 1st century BC, it later became a major medieval trading power and remains a vibrant economic and cultural hub today.
Spanish capital
Madrid, the capital of Spain, was established as a city in the 9th century during Muslim rule and later became the permanent seat of the Spanish monarchy in 1561 under King Philip II. Today, it is a major European cultural hub, renowned for its art museums, historic plazas, and vibrant urban life.
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is Spain’s premier annual domestic football cup competition, first held in 1903. It is one of the oldest national cup tournaments in Europe and is open to teams from across the Spanish football league system.
Chelsea
Chelsea is a historic and affluent district in West London, known for its association with the arts and high-end shopping. Its history includes being a center for the Bohemian movement in the 19th century and the site of the famous Chelsea Physic Garden, founded in 1673.
