Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘on verge of tears’ after Mourinho exploded at him and players ‘had to stop them from fighting’ – Luka Modric reveals

Football star, Cristiano Ronaldo and his then manager at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho, nearly came to blows after Mourinho criticized him at half time.

The stunning revelations were made by Croatia captain and Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric in his new autobiography, as serialized by Corriere Dello Sport.

Mourinho and Ronaldo enjoyed success together while at Madrid but did not always see eye to eye during their three years together.

Despite Ronaldo winning five Ballon d’Or crowns and scoring 725 goals in his career – including 450 in just 438 Real games – Mourinho snubbed Cristiano as the Greatest of all Time by picking his Brazilian namesake, Ronaldo.

Mourinho said: “Ronaldo, El Fenomeno, Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have had longer careers, they have remained at the top every day for 15 years.

“However, if we are talking strictly about talent and skill, nobody surpasses Ronaldo [Nazario].

“When he was at Barcelona with Bobby Robson, I realised that he was the best player I’d ever seen take to the field.”

Modric, who Mourinho signed for Real Madrid from Tottenham in 2012,  has now told the story of how Mourinho and Ronaldo, both Portuguese, almost came to blows back in 2013 when they were both at the club.

He wrote: “I was surprised by Mourinho’s reaction. We were winning 2-0 in the Copa del Rey.

“Ronaldo did not chase the rivals on his throw-in and Jose was furious with Cristiano.

“The two fought for a long time on the field. After returning to the locker room at half-time, I saw Ronaldo desperate, on the verge of tears.

“He said, ‘I do my best and he continues to criticise me.’

“Mourinho came in and began to criticise the Portuguese for his responsibility during the game.

“They became so hot that only the intervention of the team-mates avoided a real fight between them.”

Ronaldo is now at Juventus while Mourinho coaches Tottenham and both share the same agent Jorge Mendes.