"In 2008/09 my relationship with Mourinho was like father and son. And then it got more... well, let's just say it got more complex," former Brazil and Inter Milan star Julio Cesar writes for The Players' Tribune.
"Come spring 2010 we [Inter Milan] were fighting for the league title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League — the treble. I was playing terribly. My confidence was gone.
"One day, as I was warming up before training, Mourinho walked over to me and said, with a voice as cold as ice: 'Look, you have gone from the world's best keeper to a Serie C keeper.'
"Hahaha. That was his way of encouraging me, you know? The idea was that I'd be provoked to do better. And with most of our players, it would have worked. That team was so successful because Mourinho treated us in a direct and transparent way. No matter who you were he would criticise you in front of the group.
"But the thing is, not everyone reacts well to this kind of leadership. And I didn't. I lost confidence. Out on the pitch, I became even more insecure.
"Still, another great thing about Mourinho was that if you felt unfairly treated, you could talk to him. So that spring we had a long chat that cleared the air. Before that I had felt heavy and sad. Afterwards I was back to normal," the Brazilian notes.
Julio Cesar went on to become UEFA's Goalkeeper of the Year right after that as Inter Milan won the Serie A, the Italian Cup and the Champions League.
The 41-year-old retired at Brazilian side Flamengo in 2018.
