XtraTime Web Desk: Cristiano Ronaldo was admired by Jose Mourinho for his playing skills, to be precise, “special matches” after his heroics benefitted Portugal draw 3-3 against Spain on Friday.
CR7 made a hat-trick, inclusive of an outstanding free-kick, to make sure Portugal claimed a goal from a thrilling Group B opener.
Mourinho supervised Ronaldo during his time with Real Madrid and was utterly lauded for his fellow Portuguese.
“He knew. He knew and that’s what I really admire in some players and he is a great example,” said Mourinho in his role as a pundit for Russia Today.
“There are players for some matches, there are players for every matches and there are players for special matches. And the players for special matches are the ones.
“His [free-kick] record lately is not the best, I think for every free-kick he takes in the national team, he is not scoring as much as he did for Manchester United and for the first years in Real Madrid.
“But this one is the critical one, this one is a crucial point, it can affect the self-esteem, the self-confidence, the way to appear in the next two matches, the rivalry, what it means for Portuguese people who are at home. And he has this little touch, this little feeling, and the goal is fantastic.”
While Ronaldo was the star of the show in Sochi, he was helped on his way to a hat-trick by an error from David de Gea.
The Manchester United goalkeeper lets a shot from Ronaldo slip through his grasp before half-time as Portugal restored their lead.
“He’s my boy,” said United manager Mourinho. “It hurts me to say but he knows, he knows, it’s a bad mistake. But what happens to the best, the good thing with the best is he will be there next match, not afraid.”
Summing up the game, Mourinho said he thought the second-half substitution of Diego Costa, who scored twice, hurt Spain.
“For me, there was a game with Diego Costa and a game without Diego Costa – the game changed.
“I don’t think the game was perfect. I don’t think either team was able to be dominant for 90 minutes, I think some of the goals are some goals that make us want to not sleep.”