How Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid Humiliated a Ghanaian Player on his Birthday

• Michael Essien turned 30-years-old in December 3, 2012 whiles playing for Real Madrid.
• The Ghanaian international invited all his Real Madrid teammates to a party but only two turned up
• Real Madrid had the players likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos at that time in their squad

A football team normally needs to have team spirit and close-knit bond but it appears that was lacking during Michael Essien's stint at Real Madrid.

Essien joined Real Madrid on season-long loan deal in 2012, reuniting him with his former manager at Chelsea, José Mourinho.

At his introductory press conference with Real Madrid, Mourinho affectionally referred to Essien as "his son" while Essien referred to Mourinho as his "Daddy".

And on Essien's 30th birthday, the Ghanaian international invited his Madrid teammates to a birthday bash he was hosting.

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Shockingly, out of the whole squad, only two players attended - Luka Modric and Ricardo Carvalho.

This was revealed in Jose Mourinho’s new book authored by Rob Beasley 'Jose Mourinho: Up Close And Personal' which is being serialised in the Daily Mail.

Rob Beasley wrote: "He said it was a political club full of warring factions and told me a story to illustrate the point perfectly.

"It had been Real midfielder Michael Essien's 30th birthday party, and the on-loan Chelsea star had invited all his Madrid colleagues to his bash. Only a handful turned up, and it was left to Mourinho to console his upset player.

"He told Essien it was nothing personal; it was not even that his team-mates did not like him and, sadly, it was not because they had anything better to do. Mourinho said it was simply because they were more interested in themselves and not others."

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Ghana legend Michael Essien shocked by refereeing at AFCON 2021

Meanwhile, Essien, a former Chelsea and Ghana star, has been left shocked by officiating at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The legendary footballer was left stunned by the red card given to Comoros captain Jimmy Abdou in their last 16 clash against hosts Cameroon.

Essien took to Twitter to express his disappointment at the referee, asking if football has become that soft.