How Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid 'Humiliated' Michael Essien on His Birthday
- Michael Essien celebrated his 30th birthday while on loan at reigning European champions Real Madrid
- The former Chelsea and Olympique Lyonnais superstar invited all his Los Blancos teammates to a party, but only two turned up
- This was during a time when stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, and Sergio Ramos were part of the Real Madrid squad
Michael Essien is widely celebrated for his nine-year spell at Chelsea, where he became a fan favourite and trophy magnet.
The Ghanaian midfielder arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2005 for a then-record £24.4 million from Lyon, going on to make 256 appearances.
The Bison won two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, a League Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
Source: Getty Images
His time in London remains iconic, but his short loan spell at Real Madrid left behind a far more bittersweet memory.
Essien was reunited with José Mourinho at Real Madrid in August 2012, joining the Spanish giants on a season-long loan.
The move reunited him with the coach who had once called him his “son,” a term Mourinho repeated publicly at his unveiling to highlight their special relationship.
While Mourinho offered unwavering support, the same could not be said for the rest of the Real Madrid squad.
Michael Essien’s lonely 30th birthday at Madrid
Just months into his time in Spain, Essien turned 30 on December 3 and decided to mark the occasion by throwing a birthday party.
He extended invitations to the entire Real Madrid squad, hoping to share the milestone with his teammates.
But when the day came, only two players showed up: Ricardo Carvalho, a former Chelsea teammate, and Luka Modric, who had only recently joined the club.
A photo from the party captured a smiling but noticeably subdued Essien, flanked by the only two teammates who came.
Mourinho comforts Essien after Madrid teammates no-show
Mourinho was reportedly furious at the no-shows and personally comforted Essien.
The moment, recounted in Rob Beasley's book Jose Mourinho: Up Close and Personal, has since become one of the saddest behind-the-scenes stories involving a major star in European football.
“Mourinho said Madrid was a political club with warring factions,” Beasley stated.
“He explained to Essien that the absence of teammates wasn’t personal—it was just that the players were self-absorbed and had better things to do.”
Though his time in the Spanish capital was brief, Essien made a significant impact, earning 35 appearances across all competitions and scoring twice.
Source: Getty Images
The ex-Lyon star notched two goals - including a strike on his final appearance, which he dedicated to Mourinho.
The 2012/13 season was a disappointing one for Real Madrid, as they ended the campaign without silverware — finishing second in La Liga, falling in the Champions League semi-finals, and losing the Copa del Rey final to Atlético Madrid.
Surprisingly, the story of Michael Essien’s poorly attended birthday party later inspired a song titled Michael Essien Birthday Party, released in 2023 by artists Zeppy Zep, Keeko, and Taco Hemingway.
It remains unknown whether Essien has ever listened to the track that was born from one of the loneliest moments of his career.
Michael Essien’s silent struggles in Spain
While Michael Essien’s time at Real Madrid seemed glamorous from the outside, Spanish sports media later revealed that he faced deep loneliness during his stint in Madrid.
Many of his teammates had already formed tight friendship groups, and as a new player with limited Spanish skills, Essien often felt excluded from casual conversations or social gatherings.
Local journalists noted that he spent most of his evenings alone at his apartment, watching TV or speaking to friends and family back in London to ease the isolation.
Some even observed that his only social comfort came from occasional dinners with Mourinho or chats with fellow English speakers at the club.
This period highlighted how sudden moves abroad, no matter how glamorous they seem, can quietly impact even the most successful players’ mental wellbeing, confidence, and sense of belonging.
Essien shares viral moment with Cristiano Ronaldo
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Essien has sparked nostalgia among football fans after sharing a classic throwback photo with Cristiano Ronaldo from their time together at Real Madrid.
The image, posted on Instagram, quickly caught the attention of fans worldwide, rekindling memories of a season that brought two footballing powerhouses together under the guidance of José Mourinho.
Source: YEN.com.gh
