Craig Bellamy: What Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho told me after my retirement

FORMER Liverpool star Craig Bellamy claims Jose Mourinho told him he was a 'champion' after retiring from professional football.

Jose Mourinho Manager Profile

The 35-year-old called time on his 18-year playing career in Cardiff City's final game of last season when they fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Chelsea.

It compounded a sorry season for the Bluebirds as they were relegated.

Bellamy vividly recalls embracing Mourinho after the final whistle and claims he had no regrets about his decision to quit the game.

"He just gave me a hug and said: "You are a champion," Bellamy told the Daily Mail.

Mourinho, Chelsea, CFC, Blues, Bellamy, retirement messageGETTY

Craig Bellamy embraces Jose Mourinho after his final game with Cardiff

He just gave me a hug and said: "You are a champion

Craig Bellamy

"And that was it. That was me done. It felt right.

"I was comfortable with it. My decision was made solely for me and I can't go back on it.

My body was ready. I wasn't able to do what I wanted to do on the pitch and I couldn't torture myself trying to find a different way any more."

Chelsea finished third in the league last term under Mourinho.

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