
Audio By Carbonatix
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves this year's Ballon d'Or, arguing that Lionel Messi's sensational goal-scoring exploits count for nothing as Barcelona failed to retain their Primera Division crown.Messi broke record after record during a season in which he netted 50 times in La Liga but Mourinho believes that Ronaldo's 46 strikes carry more weight because they were crucial to Los Blancos' title success."Cristiano has to be the Ballon d'Or winner, not because he was the top scorer, which he already was last season, but because his goals won the league," the Portuguese said of his compatriot in an interview with SIC."Messi scored 50 goals that have not been worth anything, just as Cristiano scored 42 last season that were not worth anything."Cristiano has not been able to win the top scorer award and I think that should now be offset by the Ballon d'Or."While Mourinho is in no doubt that Ronaldo is the best player in the game today, he does not believe the 27-year-old attacker is capable of inspiring his country to glory in this summer's European Championship."Real Madrid is one thing, and the national team another," the two-time Champions League winner argued. "Clubs, as usual, are better."With Portugal he does not have the support he has at Madrid and we cannot expect him to take us to the title and make 10 or 15 goals. And this, in spite of the fact that he is the best player in the world."Turning his attention back to Madrid's Liga triumph, Mourinho claimed that finishing above Barcelona ranks as one of the greatest achievements of his stellar coaching career."I can honestly say that this has been the most difficult of the seven championships I have won as a coach - and I won one with Inter in the last game," he pointed out."This has been the most difficult because we had an opponent who is recognised as the best team of recent years."And as the games passed we came under enormous pressure because we could not afford to lose points. It was a titanic struggle between the two best teams in the world."Mourinho added that winning the league with a record-breaking haul of points made the victory all the sweeter."The important thing was to win the title, but when we secured it and realised we could reach 100 points, we then had a high motivation to go in search of those victories," he explained."Real have won 32 league titles, but this team will be remembered for the 100 points, because at the moment that is unique and, I think, very difficult to overcome."
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
2026 World Cup: Messi scores twice as Argentina beat Austria
12 minutes -
2026 World Cup: Decision on Ati Zigi to be made tomorrow – Carlos Queiroz
54 minutes -
Four dead, 5 critical as 8 houses collapse after torrential rainstorm in Cape Coast
60 minutes -
Corrupt citizens are termites eating foundations of development – Togbe Afede XIV
1 hour -
First Atlantic Bank petitions court to wind up Kenpong Travel & Tour Ltd over GH¢2.55m debt
1 hour -
2026 World Cup: ‘There are no easy games’ – Jordan Ayew ahead of England clash
2 hours -
The Architecture of the begging bowl: A blueprint for the extractive state
2 hours -
Interior Ministry suspends Kantanka Security Services’ licence following Adwoa Safo shooting incident
2 hours -
Police must establish whether guns used in Kwabenya shooting were registered – Security expert
3 hours -
Akatsi South Assembly suspends Acting Social Welfare Director over delayed LEAP payments
3 hours -
NSA releases postings for 18,617 nurses and midwives for 2026/27 service year
3 hours -
Photos: NDC names national headquarters after Jerry John Rawlings on 79th birthday
3 hours -
Projects are five times more likely to succeed when complexity is managed effectively- PMI research finds
3 hours -
School heads will fully comply with ban on extravagant graduation celebrations – CHASS
3 hours -
Adwoa Safo was serving court injunction when shooting occurred – Family
3 hours