Mourinho: Benitez tried to remove my photos at Inter

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Mourinho: Ronaldo deserved Ballon d'Or

The Blancos coach believes that his Portuguese did more to merit the award than eventual winner Lionel Messi

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho believes that Cristiano Ronaldo deserved to win the 2012 Ballon d’Or earlier this year ahead of Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star picked up the award for the fourth straight year, but the former Inter boss feels that his charge’s exploits in La Liga should have seen him pip his rival.

“Cristiano should have won the award to the best player in the world,” he told RTP1.

“He was champion in La Liga, he was decisive in the league with all the records.”

Messi broke Gerd Muller’s 40-year strong record of 85 goals for club and country in a calendar year to win the award, but only won the Copa del Rey as Barca surrendered their Spanish and European crowns.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored 46 goals in 38 Liga appearances as Madrid became the first team to record a tally of 100 points, netting a record 121 times in the process.

Jesus Navas waves away Mourinho coach award complaints

The winger defended his Roja coach after the Real Madrid boss’ criticism of the Fifa Coach of the Year voting process

Spain winger Jesus Navas has defended head coach Vicente del Bosque after Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho called his Fifa Coach of the Year award into question.

The 62-year-old saw off competition from Pep Guardiola and the Portuguese to claim the accolade in January, only for the latter to criticise the voting process.

However, the Sevilla man is delighted with the impact Del Bosque has had on the national team.

“Del Bosque has given us all titles and we are very happy,” he told reporters.

“We have to think about football and what lies ahead. And nothing more.”

Spain have crunch World Cup qualifiers with both Georgia and France on the horizon, and Navas has called for focus against the Nordic nation, and is looking forward to seeing captain Iker Casillas recover from injury.

“There is a very important game against Finland to be won before thinking of France,” Navas continued.

“We know that Casillas will be back in the team. The most important thing is for him to recover as he is very important for all of us.

“We have to be focused on these two games though, but we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Mourinho: We need to win first Galatasaray game

The Real Madrid boss is expecting a tough encounter with the Turkish champions but is determined to win the first leg

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has told his side that they must win the first leg of their upcoming Champions League quarter-final with Galatasaray.

The Spanish champions drew their home encounter with Manchester United in the last 16, forcing them to win at Old Trafford, and the Portuguese is determined not to have to do the same thing again.

“The draw is not something to get nervous about because there is not much to choose between the teams,” he told the club’s official website.

“It will be tough but we need to try to get something positive from the first match, something we didn’t manage against Manchester United. We have to make sure we go there with a small advantage.”

Mourinho went on to warn his side not to rest on their laurels after their win against Manchester United and to make the last four of the competition.

“It was a great win, but Real Madrid can never be happy with getting to the quarter-finals and we always have to look to go further. That’s why we are already thinking about making it to the semi-finals.”

Madrid and Galatasaray clash in Spain on April 3 before meeting in Istanbul on April 9.

Ramos: I want to go down in the history of Spanish football

The Real Madrid defender is adamant la Roja can qualify for World Cup 2014, while David de Gea, Isco and Javi Garcia are all delighted to be part of the senior set-up

Sergio Ramos is hopeful he can go down in history ahead of reaching the 100-cap mark for Spain this week.

The Real Madrid defender is on the verge of becoming the youngest ever player to bring up a century of appearances for his country – beating Lukas Podolski’s previous mark – though he called for focus ahead of crucial World Cup 2014 qualifiers against Finland and France this month.

“On a personal level, it’ll be a moment to enjoy,” he told reporters. “I hope I can go down in the history of Spanish football – that’s a real personal challenge for me. The chance to win 100 caps makes me proud.

“For a footballer, achieving your personal goals is very important. I have been playing for Spain for a number of years and that makes me proud. I hope I can go well beyond 100 caps for my country.

“We know what we have to do [to qualify for World Cup 2014], and we want to do it right – these are two hugely significant games in which qualification for the World Cup is at stake.

“[France] will be a very difficult game. I still haven’t spoken to [Raphael] Varane and [Karim] Benzema, [but] we have a few days to send each other a message or two.

“First we have the game against Finland to think about, though; these days any team in international football can hurt you, so let’s give them the respect they’re due. Then we’ll think about France.”

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea could get his chance to shine for la Roja in the absence of injured captain Iker Casillas, and he hopes to make the most of his chance with the senior set-up.

“I am very pleased and very happy, I will try to do my best to please the coach,” the young goalkeeper said. “So far with the Under-21s I have been relaxed and now has come this special moment for me.

“It is a pity that Casillas cannot be here, we all know he is the captain and the idol, and I am happy, but for the fact that he is injured, to be here. [But] for me, this is a big step in my career.”

Malaga attacker Isco, who has been excellent in Europe in particular this season, is another talented Roja youngster who will want to make his mark ahead of this summer’s Confederations Cup.

“I’m happy to be back with the best team in the world, now to enjoy this with my team-mates and to get two big wins,” the Spaniard said.

“This does not strengthen me, but it is true that the call-up is very important for a player and I am very excited to be here.

“The Champions League has had a very big impact [on my career]. I’m very happy with everything we are doing at Malaga and I am now happy to be here and to focus on the team.”

Manchester City star Javi Garcia is excited to be among his World Cup and Euro 2012-winning compatriots for their qualification clashes against European opposition in the coming nine days.

“I’m very happy, since everybody has been nice,” he said: “It’s very hard to believe I am here. It’s a little dream come true. Better late than never!

“You have to fight hard to be here. I am very happy to part of the squad for big games like these.”