Madrid - Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said he would have preferred manager Jose Mourinho to laud his own side's efforts rather than those of Manchester United after Madrid eliminated the English side from the Champions League.
Mourinho claimed that the “best side had lost” after Madrid's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford two weeks ago against a United side reduced to 10 men for the final half hour.
But Ramos believes the performance of he and his team-mates deserved more recognition from their coach.
“I can only speak about myself, but after eliminating a great team like Manchester United, I would have liked other words of recognition for his team because we had given everything to knock out a historic team,” he told Cadena Cope radio.
Ramos has had a history of bust-ups with Mourinho during the Portuguese's three-year spell in charge of Los Blancos and he is unsure whether Mourinho will decide to remain in the Spanish capital beyond this season.
“I don't know. Right now, he has a contract and it is his personal decision. He has always prioritised the happiness of his family, but where is he going to be happier than defending the colours of the best team in the world?”
Of more immediate importance for Ramos though is Spain's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Finland in Gijon on Friday.
And he is set to become the latest of Spain's golden generation to reach 100 caps following the likes of Iker Casillas, Xavi and Carles Puyol.
“It brings to mind how quickly things pass, but it is something I am very proud of. Puyol, at 34, just achieved it and I have the luck to do it at 26 and at a very good stage in my professional life.”
Sapa-AFP