Emmanuel Adebayor, who played for Real Madrid during the 2010-2011 season under José Mourinho, still recalls vivid memories from his brief spell at the Spanish club. Now at Istanbul Başakşehir in Turkey, the Togolese striker reminisces about one particularly striking incident involving the Portuguese manager.
During a match in which Real Madrid led 3-0 at halftime, Mourinho reportedly erupted in the dressing room, leaving an unforgettable impression on Adebayor. “At Real Madrid, we were winning 3-0 at halftime. He came into the dressing room and went crazy. He banged on the fridge, kicked the television, and threw water. He could have killed everyone,” Adebayor told the Daily Mail.
The striker was especially surprised by Mourinho’s handling of Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored all three goals. “I remember he went ballistic on Cristiano Ronaldo after he’d scored a hat trick. He said, ‘Everyone says you’re the best in the world, but you’re playing badly. Show me you’re the best.’ Even though Ronaldo had scored a hat trick, he talked to him about the goal he’d missed,” Adebayor added.
The anecdote highlights Mourinho’s famously intense approach to management and his unrelenting demands, even on star players, leaving a lasting impression on those around him, including Adebayor.
