Emmanuel Adebayor has described the moment former manager Jose Mourinho 'killed' Cristiano Ronaldo in the dressing room - despite the Portuguese superstar scoring a hat-trick.
The former Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City forward played for Real Madrid on loan for half a season in 2011, where he worked under Mourinho and alongside five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo.
The Togolese forward made 22 appearances in all competitions during his temporary stay at the Bernabeu, scoring eight goals.
And speaking in an exclusive interview with Sportsmail, Adebayor discussed the managerial style of serial-trophy winner Mourinho, as well as the 56-year-old's relationship with his compatriot and star man Ronaldo.
'At Real, we were winning 3-0 at half-time. He (Mourinho) came into the dressing room and went mental. He kicked the fridge, kicked the television, threw water.
'He killed everyone. I remember he once killed Ronaldo after he scored a hat-trick. He said: "Everyone says you are the best in the world and you are playing badly. Show me you are the best."
'Cristiano took it. Ronaldo could score a hat-trick but talk about the one he missed.'
Ronaldo went on to finish that season with 53 goals to his name in a season that produced just the one trophy, the Copa del Rey.
Madrid were pipped to the La Liga title and knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona, while Ronaldo lost out in the Ballon d'Or stakes to Lionel Messi - who also netted 53 goals in all competitions that season.
Ronaldo was about to enjoy unprecedented individual success in the years that followed, and Adebayor spoke about his phenomenal ability - both physical and technical - which he witnessed firsthand in the Spanish capital.
'He trained with us at Real Madrid as though he was training with his kids,' added Adebayor.
'Passes with his back, control with his neck.
'He once kept the ball for five seconds with one touch! How is that even possible?
'In the gym, wow. Sergio Ramos and I were the strongest. But then came Ronaldo. "You think that's hard?" he'd say. We'd do five reps and he'd do 30.'
Timileyinfresh33
122
After Ronaldo scored an hat trick and still get killed by Jose. well What can I say MOURINHO EFFECT
wapabkpryz
76
Mourinho is not stupid, Adebayor. He knows the difference between good performers and goalscorers. And that is what some blind football fans still don't know and understand.
Mercer7
67
Mourinho knew that Ronaldo needed that killimg so that he would push himself more and more. what an idea mou❣
godykemanutd
60
And when you Push Pogba and Martial, they become more useless and useless. Jose Pushed Shaw and now Manchester United are benefiting from that.
Todorov
57
Mourinho know Ronaldo very well, he said that on purpose, because he know that even if Ronaldo play very good, when you make him angry and say he is not good, he will play a lot better!
RealMadrid92
55
stat show under Mourinho, Ronaldo score most goal in a season. it prove Ronaldo was best form under Mourinho. so Mourinho actually better coach
DjamJB
47
That is even though he scored 53 goals the were able win just copa derel. Even Jose saw how badly he played eventhough he scored goals. He will practically not contribute in controlling the game tactically and technically for the team to win but will stay in box to score and take his praises while the team fails . What Ronaldo fans don't understand is if most of the world's best players were 70% as selfish and careless about club succes as he is they world have scores more goals than him. that is y Barca, city and Bayern could win more trophies year in year out because both the striker and the number 10 or attacking midfielder whom could score too will both have scored plenty of goals with one just slide my higher than the other. Example was Muller and Gomez, Muller and lewandoski now, Messi and Saurez, Messi and Etoo, Messi saurez and Nieymer, Mbappe Neiymer and Calvani, Aguaro Sterling and sane, Sarah mane and firminnho. But Ronaldo and Benzema was bad and could produce almost nothing season in some seasons or just one trophy in some years because he Ronaldo is not a team player and so will deprive the assisting 9 shirt from scoring by him not inter playing with him or creating chances for others or wasting long range and hopeless shots when the opposite team defend well against him. we see how Messi or Nieymer will create chances for the other player to score if there are been surrounded by 3 of 4 players for 90 minutes.
Babybarsh
45
That's what we called Multivation with styles. He wanted him to do more and he believed he can do more than that,at the end the good result came out.. He did the same thing when he was at Chelsea, reveal by Mikel Obi. Chelsea Vs Baca,He told them after First half that everybody believe Baca is the best team in the world but as for him(Mou)where I'm is the best. You guy are the best let's go there and makes our slf proud. And at the end it was a good result.. As for me he's a good way to multivate a team which already knows the attitude of there coach. Not a player like Pogba who claims he knows everything