Mourinho Accuses Porto Assistant Coach of Repeatedly Calling Him a ‘Traitor’
LISBON, Portugal – Benfica manager José Mourinho was involved in a heated exchange with FC Porto assistant coach Luís ‘Lucho’ González following Sunday’s 2-2 draw in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, accusing González of calling him a “traitor” 50 times. The incident occurred in the tunnel after the match, escalating tensions following a dramatic comeback by Benfica and a late red card for Mourinho himself.
Fiery Exchange Follows Contentious Draw
The match at the Estádio da Luz saw Porto seize an early lead through Victori Froholdt, followed by a goal from Oskar Pietuszewski before halftime. Benfica mounted a second-half comeback, with goals from Schjelderup and Leandro Barreiro securing a draw. The late equalizer sparked a series of confrontations, ultimately leading to red cards for both Mourinho and González.
Mourinho, 63, vehemently denied accusations that he instigated his own sending-off, stating, “The referee sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the Porto bench, which is completely false. Many times, after scoring goals, I kick the ball into the stands to offer it to a lucky fan and celebrate. I realize I’m not exceptionally excellent technically, but it was meant for the stands.”
“Traitor to What?” Mourinho Questions González’s Accusations
The core of the dispute, although, centered around the alleged verbal abuse from González. Mourinho expressed his disbelief and frustration, questioning the basis for the accusations. “He called me a traitor 50 times in the tunnel. I’d like him to explain to me, a traitor to what?” Mourinho stated after the game, as reported by ESPN. “I went to Porto, I gave my soul to Porto, I went to Chelsea, to Inter, to Real Madrid. I travelled around the world and gave 24 hours of my life every day, gave my life, my soul. That’s what professionalism is about.”
He continued, challenging the logic of the accusation, asking, “When he went to Marseille [from FC Porto in 2009], did he betray FC Porto? A traitor to what? Giving everything to Benfica? I didn’t like it.” The veteran manager distinguished between criticism from fans and attacks from fellow professionals, finding the latter particularly unsettling.
Context: Mourinho’s History with Porto and González’s Career
Mourinho’s connection to Porto is a significant part of his managerial legacy. He guided the club to Champions League glory in 2004, along with two league titles and a UEFA Cup. He left Porto for Chelsea in 2004. González joined Porto in 2005, one year after Mourinho’s departure, and spent six seasons with the club across two spells, winning six league titles. He became an assistant coach to Francesco Farioli at Porto in July 2025.
The incident highlights the intense rivalry between Benfica and Porto, two of Portugal’s most successful clubs. The draw leaves Porto leading the Primeira Liga standings with 66 points, seven points ahead of Benfica, who have 59 points. With 27 points still up for grabs, Benfica will need a strong finish to challenge for the title.
Otamendi Sees Red, River Plate Links for González
Adding to the drama of the match, Benfica captain Nicolás Otamendi was also sent off after receiving a second yellow card in added time. The dismissal adds to Benfica’s disciplinary concerns as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Separately, reports have linked former Argentina international González with a possible return to River Plate to join Eduardo Coudet’s team. However, Coudet reportedly dismissed the speculation, stating it would be “disrespectful” given González’s current position at Porto.
What’s Next for Benfica and Porto?
Benfica will look to bounce back from the draw when they face Estoril Praia on March 16th. Porto, meanwhile, will travel to take on Arouca on the same day. Both teams will be aiming to secure crucial points as the title race intensifies. The league standings will be closely watched as the season progresses, with Porto holding a narrow advantage but Benfica still very much in contention.
The fallout from the Mourinho-González incident is likely to continue in the coming days, adding another layer of intrigue to the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The league will undoubtedly be monitoring the situation, and further disciplinary action could be taken depending on the referee’s report and any additional evidence that emerges.
