Mourinho calls inclusion of Messi and Ronaldo inclusion in 'Top 100 influential people' absurd

Jose Mourinho directing instructing towards his Chelsea player

Football is arguably the most popular sport in world football, and some people take it more seriously than it should be taken. Not our words.

“I am passionate about football, of course. But for us professionals, if it means everything, we are in trouble; and for supporters the same,” said Jose Mourinho in his interview with the Telegraph. “In Portugal, they say that you can change everything except your mum and your football club.”

When pointed out that Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Lionel Messi of Barcelona were named respectively as the 30^th and 45^th most influential people in Forbes list of Top 100 Influential People in the world last year, the Portuguese insisted that it was rather absurd.

“I understand because of football’s power, socially, politically and culturally. But how can a football player be in the top 100 of the most influential people in the world in Forbes magazine?” questions Mourinho.

“It’s absurd! We don’t save lives! I know that people can jump from a fifth floor because his team lost a game, but that person has problems. How can you compare a football player, a football manager with a scientist, a doctor? You cannot compare.”