10 contradictory statements and moments from Jose Mourinho

#2 Is Cristiano Ronaldo a diver or not?

Mourinho just couldn't make his mind up about Cristiano Ronaldo

For all his greatness, few followers of the beautiful game would deny that Cristiano Ronaldo has been guilty of simulation, or diving, on more than one occasion during his decorated career. It seemed that his countryman Mourinho once felt the same way. Back in 2008, when Mourinho had just taken over at Inter Milan, he was questioned about his former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba.

Mourinho stated that

"I am no longer Chelsea manager and I don't have to defend them so I think it's correct if I say Drogba is a diver. Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Robin van Persie are the divers who won more penalties during the last four or five years".

Fast-forward to September 2011, when both Mourinho and Ronaldo were at Real Madrid. During a game against Getafe, Ronaldo scored a penalty following a controversial call from the referee as Ronaldo not only appeared to have dived, but the supposed contact came outside the box. Mourinho’s take?

"It wasn't a penalty, that's a fact. But what's also true is that it was a foul, because Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't dive, like a few others do, and even less when he already has a yellow card, as it was the case. There was no reason for a penalty (the foul was outside the penalty area), but that incident took place when were dominating the match and I'm convicted we would end by scoring sooner or later and still win the match."

It seems Jose will go to any lengths to protect his players....and any lengths to throw opposing ones under the bus, too!