Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, currently of AC Milan and formerly of Real Madrid, revealed that Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho once made Cristiano Ronaldo cry during their time at the Spanish club for not tracking back to defend against an opponent.
The veteran Balkan player explained in an interview that Mourinho was the toughest coach, and that he witnessed Ronaldo crying in the locker room, despite being a player who gives his all on the pitch, because he had failed to chase an opponent’s defender even once. He considered Mourinho to be very direct with his players.
He added: “He treated Sergio Ramos and new signings the same way… If he had something to say to you, he said it. Massimiliano Allegri is also like that: he tells you directly what is right and wrong. Honesty is a fundamental element.”
Modric continued, saying Mourinho is “special to him, both as a coach and as a person.”
Modric, who considers his former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to be his number one coach, said, “He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid. Without Mourinho, I would never have arrived. I regret that we only had one season together.”
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 center of the vast Spanish Empire, with iconic sites like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum reflecting its rich cultural and political heritage.
SPAIN
Spain is a country located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, with a rich history shaped by Roman rule, the Moorish conquest, and the unification of its kingdoms under the Catholic Monarchs in the late 15th century. Its diverse cultural heritage is reflected in iconic sites like the Alhambra palace, the Sagrada Família basilica, and numerous historic cities.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-renowned Portuguese professional footballer, not a physical place or cultural site. His history includes rising from a modest background in Madeira to become one of the sport’s greatest players, winning numerous team and individual awards across clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus.
Real Madrid CF
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, renowned for winning a record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture and its famous Santiago Bernabéu stadium.
Luka Modric
Luka Modrić is a Croatian professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. He rose from a childhood marked by the Croatian War of Independence to win the Ballon d’Or in 2018, becoming the first player not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to do so in over a decade. His career is celebrated for his pivotal role in leading Real Madrid to multiple UEFA Champions League titles and captaining Croatia to a historic runner-up finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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 format in 1992 to include a round-robin group stage. It is widely considered the most prestigious club tournament in European football.
FC Bayern Muenchen
FC Bayern München is a professional football club based in Munich, Germany, founded in 1900. It is one of the most successful clubs in history, having won a record number of German championships and multiple European Cups/UEFA Champions League titles.
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.
AC Milan
AC Milan is an Italian professional football club founded in 1899 by English expatriates, making it one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Italy. It is renowned for its rich history, having won numerous domestic and international titles, including seven European Cup/UEFA Champions League trophies. The club’s iconic red and black striped kit has become a symbol of football excellence worldwide.
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 widely supported clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly winning a record 14 UEFA Champions League titles.
Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is a highly successful Portuguese football manager known for his tactical acumen and charismatic, often controversial, personality. He rose to prominence after leading FC Porto to UEFA Champions League victory in 2004, later achieving significant success with clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. His career is defined by winning numerous domestic league titles across four different countries and his distinct, pragmatic style of management.
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is a professional football stadium located in Seville, Spain, and is the home ground of Sevilla FC. It was originally inaugurated in 1958 and was renamed in 2021 in honor of the Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, who began his career at Sevilla’s youth academy. The stadium has a long history of hosting major football matches, including games during the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Massimiliano Allegri
Massimiliano Allegri is not a place or cultural site, but a prominent Italian football manager and former player. He is best known for his successful tenure as the manager of Juventus, where he won multiple Serie A titles and guided the team to two UEFA Champions League finals. His managerial career also includes spells with other Italian clubs like AC Milan, Cagliari, and Sassuolo.
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti is a highly successful Italian football manager and former player, best known for his tactical acumen and record of winning multiple UEFA Champions League titles. His managerial career includes leading top European clubs like AC Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, where he has secured numerous domestic and international trophies since the 1990s.
