Portuguese coach José Mourinho revealed the best player in his eyes among all those he had the chance to manage as head or assistant manager.
The current coach of the Turkish team Fenerbahçe has proven himself in several big clubs such as Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Man Utd.
During his career, the Special One was also assistant coach at FC Barcelona between 1996 and 2000 before later flying solo at the head of other teams.
It was while being in the Barça staff that José Mourinho met the best player he had the chance to coach in his career as a technician.
While he was still playing under Sir Bobby Robson, the Portuguese was forever amazed by the talent of Ronaldo (R9), the former Brazilian striker.
The former coach recounted how the 2002 Ballon d’Or winner won everyone’s hearts during the only season he played for Barça. That was in 1999.
“Ronaldo Nazário arrived in Barcelona a day before the Super Cup match against Atlético Madrid. At the time, we had an Argentinian striker named Pizzi, who had had a good season and so I had no doubts that Pizzi would start.
I was surprised when Robson told me that Ronaldo would start against Atletico. To me, it was crazy. How could Ronaldo play when he hadn’t yet adapted to the team and Pizzi would be on the bench?
Robson said to me: ‘Do you want to be a good boy or do you want to win?’ I said: ‘Of course, I want to win’. He said: ‘Then Ronaldo will play’.
Ronaldo started and we won by a wide margin, scoring five goals, two of which were scored by Ronaldo. He is the best player I have coached in my career. He has qualities that no other player has, and all this without training.
Ronaldo didn’t come to training to improve his fitness or his tactical thinking. He came to training to have fun with his teammates. He was lazy… But, he was something else on the pitch”Mourinho said.
