Jose Mourinho responded to seeing Manchester United all but
snatch Chelseas Premiership title by launching another astonishing
attack on Cristiano Ronaldo this time insulting his family and
ridiculing his lack of education. Mourinho accused United winger
Ronaldo, who is also Portuguese, of "not showing maturity and
respect" and attributed that to a "difficult childhood" with "no
education".
Chelseas manager has become embroiled in a war of words with the
double PFA Player of the Year after complaining that United led a
charmed life when it came to penalty decisions. Ronaldo replied
that Mourinho "does not know how to admit his own failures" and the
Stamford Bridge boss reacted by branding the 22-year-old "a
liar".
Then, in the aftermath of Chelseas 2-2 draw at home to Bolton on
Saturday which saw them slip five points behind Premiership leaders
United, Mourinho was asked about comments Sir Alex Ferguson had
made in response to the row. Mourinho said: "Its a game where a
kid had some statements not very . . . not showing maturity and
respect, maybe difficult childhood, no education, maybe the
consequence of that. Sir Alex felt he had to protect his boy. But
normal things . . . I have no problems with him (Ferguson). I have
no problem with the boy."
Ferguson will not appreciate the remarks about his player, who had
an impoverished background in Madeira, from someone who had a
privileged upbringing and a university education. Ronaldos father
Dinnis, a council gardener, died from kidney problems after a long
battle against alcoholism. His mother Dolores was forced to take
jobs as a cleaner and a cook and Ronaldo grew up in a tiny,
tin-roofed shack.
Mourinho also came under subtle attack from Rafa Benitez, whose
Liverpool side will seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they play
Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League semifinal at
Anfield tomorrow. Benitez claimed Mourinho is under severe
pressure, saying: "Chelsea have spent more money than anyone else
in the world in the last five years. They have spent millions and
they need to win trophies. If they cannot win the league now they
will be under real pressure. "They are the favourites. We are the
underdogs."
Mourinho, meanwhile, is understood to be unimpressed that his
German midfielder Michael Ballack chose to have surgery on Friday
night on an ankle injury that will rule him out for 10 days,
jeopardising his chances of appearing in key end-of-season
matches.
