Jump directly to the content
'Killing football'

Hatem Ben Arfa slams Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Simeone

Former Newcastle and Hull forward, now struggling at PSG, attacks playing style of United and Atletico bosses after branding Ronaldo 'predictable'

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN badboy Hatem Ben Arfa has lashed out at Cristiano Ronaldo, Jose Mourinho and Diego Simeone.

The former Newcastle forward branded Real Madrid superstar "predictable" before slamming the Manchester United and Atletico Madrid bosses for their styles of play.

 Ben Arfa joined PSG from Nice last August
7
Ben Arfa joined PSG from Nice last AugustCredit: Getty Images
 The Frenchman said watching Cristiano Ronaldo left him cold
7
The Frenchman said watching Cristiano Ronaldo left him coldCredit: Getty Images

"Cristiano Ronaldo, he does not give me any emotion," the former Marseille man said. ";He is predictable."

Ben Arfa, who has not settled well since joining PSG from Nice last summer, then turned his fire on Mourinho and Simeone.

He claimed their styles of play are "killing football" while comparing them unfavourably with the late Ajax and Barcelona coach Johan Cruyff.

 Jose Mourinho is no fun, according to Ben Arfa
7
Jose Mourinho is no fun, according to Ben ArfaCredit: PA:Press Association
 And neither is Diego Simeone, in the Frenchman's opinion
7
And neither is Diego Simeone, in the Frenchman's opinionCredit: AP:Associated Press

"Many coaches are convinced to invent football on the pretext that they are looking for a system to block the opponent," Ben Arfa said in an interview with .

"But this is not in the essence of football, with Mourinho and Simeone.

"It is the antithesis of Cruyff and his freedom, and with them there is no longer room for pleasure.

"There is no more spectacle, to the point that football interests me much less. I do not find pleasure watching matches."

Ben Arfa has failed to nail down a regular first-team spot at mega-rich PSG.

He had a tunnel bust-up with assistant coach Juan Carlos Carcedo in February and last week complained on Facebook about his lack of match time.

7
Ben Arfa has found game time hard to come by at PSG so far

The 30-year-old forward is reportedly attracting interest from Roma and AC Milan, while Southampton boss Claude Puyol - who coached Ben Arfa at Nice - wanted to take him on loan in January.

However, the player's £65,000 a week salary priced the Saints out of contention.

 Ben Arfa's dream move to PSG has not worked out
7
Ben Arfa's dream move to PSG has not worked outCredit: EPA

Ben Arfa's time in Engand was also punctured by controversy.

In 2013, he was fined £5,000 and banned from driving after being caught doing more than 100mph, without insurance, in his Mercedes in Newcastle.

 Ben Arfa had a hellish time in Hull
7
Ben Arfa had a hellish time in Hull

He also had an unhappy loan spell at Hull, about which he later said: "I hit rock bottom. Everything was black. I was in a nightmare.

"For me, it was over. I saw myself as a failed prospect."

Topics