Mourinho says Ronaldo at his best yet ahead of latest Clasico

JOSE MOURINHO has defended Cristiano Ronaldo’s form on the eve of Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey quarter-final against Barcelona tonight (Live on Sky Sports 2, 9pm), describing his performance against Mallorca as “his best” since the manager’s arrival at the club.

Ronaldo has come under criticism after squandering chances in a 3-1 loss to Barcelona last month, but Mourinho said the forward’s work ethic in the second half of Saturday’s 2-1 win was incredible.

“I’ve been with Cristiano for more than a year and half and I don’t know how many goals he’s scored, hat-tricks, decisive goals like the winning goal in the cup final. But you know what my favourite Cristiano moment was? The second half against Mallorca, it was his best,” Mourinho said ahead of tonight’s first-leg match at the Bernabeu.