'My kids never saw Pele play but they know who he is, in 40 years it will be the same with Ronaldo'

The Portuguese manager spoke to 'France Football' after Cristiano Ronaldo claimed his fifth Ballon d'Or and he took the time to congratulate his compatriot.

"My children never saw Pele play, but they know who he is. In 40 years, kids will know who Cristiano is, and he will be part of the football history forever," Mourinho said.

The pair worked together at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2010 and 2013, a period of success but also controversial episodes that the United coach refused to delve into.

"It's something that is part of my job and I don't wish to make it public," he admitted. "Many things were written and said that were false or exaggerated.

"The only thing I can say is that I don't have a personal problem with him, I think he feels the same," Mourinho continued. "It was a simply a good coach-player relationship."

"What united us was a desire to win trophies together. In the three years we spent together, I think he improved as a player with me and I improved as a coach with him."