Cristiano Ronaldo Vs. Jose Mourinho 2013: Is Fight A Sign That Mourinho Has Lost Team; What Are Other Players Saying?

Jose Mourinho's problems with Real Madrid are well documented. Many rumors insisted that the team had been divided into two factions: one that was headed by some of the Spanish players who opposed Mourinho and another led by the Portuguese players on the squad who supported their countryman and coach. However, Mourinho may have fewer supporters than he thinks after the coach argued with his number one star and ally.

According to a number of reports, Mourinho and star Cristiano Ronaldo argued in the team locker room after Madrid's 2-0 win over Valencia in the Copa Del Rey match last week. The argument initiated when Mourinho criticized Ronaldo for his play and told him that he disappeared late in the game. Mourinho supposedly said, "In the last 15 minutes you went hiding, Cris. You know that in the knock-out games an away goal counts for a lot. You have to work hard until the end."

Ronaldo reportedly responded with the retort "I give my life for you and you are wrong to criticize me."

Since the incident, a number of players have chimed in to quell the speculation. Defender Raul Albiol mentioned that "Sometimes the manager may express his views to a player after a game. It won't affect the team or its performance. That's the end of it. We have an important game against Valencia which we want to win."

Regarding the team's stability and leadership he added that "The club isn't a time-bomb that's going to explode. We have to work together in order to achieve success this season. If we help each other, it will be to all our benefit."

Backup keeper Antonio Adan noted, "This confrontation didn't even happen. The coach gave an opinion and the player gave his. We are all adults...You can always have different opinions, with the player showing the utmost respect towards the coach and the coach towards the player in a conversation, even if the opinions are opposed."

Youngster Morata also stated, "Everything seems normal between them as far as I can see. I do not know what happened, because I was not around at the time, but they maintain a normal relationship."

Ronaldo later apologized and noted that "I want to talk about what happened on Tuesday with our coach, I want to apologize...We have to pull together and go forward. I ask for unity and hard work. We still have things to win."

Mourinho also reportedly criticized the play of Angel Di Maria and told him that he played better when he "costs less." Di Maria just signed a contract extension with the club. Other players the manager has had confrontations with include captain Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and Fabio Coentrao.