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José Mourinho has provided fresh insight into his departure from Benfica, admitting that while he felt comfortable in Lisbon, the pull of the Santiago Bernabéu proved impossible to resist. Speaking to official UEFA platforms ahead of Real Madrid’s opening fixture in the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League against Inter Milan, the Portuguese manager reflected on his career trajectory, current squad dynamics, and his drive to win.
The 63-year-old manager discussed how his emotional ties to Benfica weighed against the stature of the Spanish giants. Last season in Portugal, Mourinho acknowledged that he did not hide what the Lisbon club meant to him, a sentiment he had managed to conceal during almost all of his career. He admitted that he felt at ease, enjoyed his time at the club, and was convinced they were building something that would bring short-term results. Yet, as he put it during the interview, Real Madrid is Real Madrid, and that was the end of the story.
Comparing Second Stints and Proven Reputations
Mourinho also contextualized his return to the Spanish capital by contrasting it with his previous stints at elite European clubs. This marks the second time in his career that he has returned to a club, having previously returned to Chelsea in 2013 after leaving in 2008.
When he first arrived at Real Madrid in 2010, he did so on the back of a treble, having captured the Champions League and everything else with Inter, as well as the first FIFA Bola de Ouro for coaches. In contrast, his recent arrival in Madrid followed a season where he had not won anything before joining the club. He noted that the club turned to him based on his established reputation and the belief that he could provide a solution, a challenge that stirred his pride.
Navigating the Real Madrid Season and La Liga Reality
Shifting focus to the current domestic campaign, Mourinho urged caution despite a start under his leadership. Los Blancos recorded three victories and a single defeat through their first four matches of the La Liga season. However, the manager emphasized that the team must remain realistic and keep a cool head.
Describing the marathon of a football season, Mourinho remarked that a campaign is not a highway, noting that there are climbs, descents, and curves along the way. Building a strong, united, and optimistic group is the best way to overcome the difficult moments when they arise, he explained. He praised the squad for starting their campaign with wins, playing good football, and projecting a different image compared to the previous season.
The Undying Ambition of the Special One
At age 63, Mourinho detailed the internal motor that continues to fuel his career in football. He described a personal cycle initiated more than two decades ago—one he will only leave when he abandons it for good.
That cycle, according to the manager, boils down to wanting to win the next game. When asked which competition matters most, Mourinho notes that if tomorrow there is a Copa del Rey fixture, then the Copa del Rey becomes the most important competition. If the next game is a league match, then the league becomes the most important. His philosophy remains straightforward: if he won yesterday, he wants to win again; if he lost, he does not want to lose again and wants to win, reflecting his true nature.
Real Madrid returns to competitive action on September 8, 2026, hosting Inter Milan for their opening match of the UEFA Champions League league phase.
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