How Cristiano Ronaldo became goalscorer at Real Madrid? Mourinho spills beans

In a candid discussion on Rio Ferdinand's YouTube podcast FIVE, Jose Mourinho delved into his managerial strategy for Cristiano Ronaldo during their time together at Real Madrid, Sportskeeda reported.

Mourinho emphasised the simplicity of his approach, stating, "Motivation, you don’t need to give him. Ambition, responsibility, you cannot give him. Technically, you cannot give him. It’s just to give him some tactical adjustments and let the guy be happy.”

The Portuguese manager highlighted his focus on creating a positive and happy environment for the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, asserting that coaching wasn't about teaching Ronaldo much but rather fostering a tactical setup where the player could showcase his best abilities.

Mourinho remarked on Ronaldo's transition from a winger to a goalscorer after joining La Liga, reflecting on memorable moments such as Ronaldo's first goal as a striker against Barcelona in the Spanish Cup final.

During Ronaldo's tenure at Real Madrid under Mourinho, he played 164 games, scoring an impressive 168 goals and providing 49 assists. The player spent nine years at Santiago Bernabeu, becoming the club's all-time top scorer with 450 goals and 131 assists in 438 appearances.

Meanwhile, in the transfer realm, Real Madrid faces defensive challenges with injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militao. Despite not securing a defender in the January transfer window, reports suggest that the La Liga giants are eyeing 18-year-old French defender Leny Yoro from LOSC Lille. 

Yoro, with a reported release clause of €60 million, has emerged as a key player for Lille, attracting interest not only from Real Madrid but also from Manchester United, seeking a replacement for Raphael Varane. 

The summer transfer window could witness Real Madrid's pursuit of defensive reinforcements with Yoro in their sights.