Simeone and Mourinho are killing football - Ben Arfa takes aim at star coaches and Ronaldo
Discussing an indifference towards the modern game, Hatem Ben Arfa criticised Diego Simeone, Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ifKbHCK3kcuNmienkDaoJD.jpg)
Paris Saint-Germain forward Hatem Ben Arfa has hit out at Diego Simeone and Jose Mourinho, claiming their styles of play are "killing football", while branding Cristiano Ronaldo as "predictable".
Atletico Madrid coach Simeone and Manchester United boss Mourinho have both enjoyed success in domestic competitions with approaches built on defensive organisation.
However, France international Ben Arfa believes the way they set up their sides is "not in the essence of football".
"Many coaches are convinced to invent football on the pretext that they are looking for a system to block the opponent," Ben Arfa told France Football. "But this is not in the essence of football, with Mourinho and Simeone.
"It is the antithesis of [former Ajax and Barcelona coach Johan] 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. Even in Ligue 1, we kill football."
And Ben Arfa also criticised Ronaldo, adding that he does not enjoy watching Real Madrid's four-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"Cristiano Ronaldo, he does not give me any emotion," the former Nice man said. "He is predictable."
![Ruben Amorim has plenty of transfer decisions to make this summer](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r6KdxiYocfLrDK8ti5nD9E-840-80.jpg)
Manchester United report: Antony's future has already been decided after new comments from CEO
![Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3xTbkGtr7hRGpxxB4hofcg-840-80.jpg)
‘Slot hasn’t come in and changed everything, making it all about himself – it’s been about the players he’s inherited, getting the best out of a system he likes’: Liverpool manager impressing former players with personality and tactical approach