Cristiano Ronaldo has experienced everything when it comes to football, having competed for and won multiple titles under the direction of renowned coaches.
In a recent in-depth interview, Cristiano Ronaldo discussed a range of topics with Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, including his retirement, his time at Real Madrid, and his time at Manchester United.
Whether on or off the field, the 39-year-old Portuguese player never fails to captivate the attention of the media.
On the field, however, Ronaldo has served as a player for some of the greatest managers in history, including Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, and Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Portuguese superstar shared his thoughts on the greatest football managers in history during the interview, although he left out two highly notable coaches that many would have expected: José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.
Ronaldo emphasized the significance of informed leadership while talking about the Red Devils and Erik ten Hag’s rebuilding process, saying:
“You cannot rebuild a club without knowledge. The people who understand football are 99% those who were in the dressing room.
“The most successful coaches in history were players, Alex Ferguson and Pep Guardiola; they understand the game.”
Considering their time spent together at Manchester United, Ronaldo’s admiration for Alex Ferguson is well known.
Despite never having received coaching from the Manchester City manager, his recognition of Guardiola—who is largely considered one of the best coaches—comes as no surprise.
Unexpectedly, Jose Mourinho once listed his top THREE players in history without including Cristiano Ronaldo.
Following his triumphs at Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United, Mourinho is considered one of the greatest managers of his generation.
He has won cups and domestic championships in England, Italy, and Spain in addition to winning the Champions League with Porto and Inter, two separate teams.
He shockingly neglected to include his fellow countryman, Ronaldo, who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time after surpassing 900 goals in his career.
But Mourinho chose Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s on-field rival, and the legendary duo of Diego Maradona and Pele.
He said in a 2016 interview, “For me, the top three players in history are Messi, Pele, and Maradona.”
Mourinho did not include Ronaldo on his list, even though the 39-year-old has been successful for both club and country. However, after his most recent accomplishment, Mourinho might have changed his mind.
The Portuguese sensation has won five Ballon d’Or awards and an amazing five Champions League titles. In the international arena, he led his country to victory in the 2016 European Championship.
Image Credit: Cristiano Ronaldo via X