Jose Mourinho has managed to edge a legendary coaching career. He not only managed Real Madrid but also secured UEFA Champions League titles with FC Porto and Inter Milan. Recognized as a four-time head coach of the year, his impact on the sport is undeniable. Despite coaching numerous legends, the Portuguese tactician surprised the soccer world by naming the player who most influenced his growth—not Cristiano Ronaldo, as many assumed.
In a recent interview with Sportynet, Jose Mourinho was asked to reflect on the player who had contributed most significantly to his development as a coach. In a surprising revelation, he overlooked his time at Real Madrid, choosing instead to highlight an unexpected figure. “Messi, because every time I played against him, he forced me to think a lot.”
Although Jose Mourinho was fortunate to coach numerous legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, it was the Argentine star who challenged the most his tactical approach on several occasions. One of the most impactful instances was the 5-0 defeat to FC Barcelona during his tenure at Real Madrid. For that reason, Messi’s imponent performances helped him to evolve his strategy, embracing a more direct style with Cristiano and Marcelo driving the action down the left flank.
In fact, a former Real Madrid player, Sami Khedira, revealed in a 2024 interview with Marca that one of Jose Mourinho’s greatest obsessions was devising strategies to neutralize Lionel Messi. While he did not secure a Champions League title with the Spanish club, he successfully minimized Messi’s impact in key situations. This achievement highlighted Mourinho’s tactical evolution and his focus on adapting to challenges posed by the Argentine superstar.
Lionel Messi waves during Joan Gamper trophy in 2019
Neither Messi nor Cristiano: Jose Mourinho delivers surprising opinion on the GOAT debate
Over the past 15 years, both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have been at the center of the GOAT debate, dominating individual and team awards. Former players and coaches alike have named their favorites as the best player of all time. However, Jose Mourinho surprised everyone with his opinion in this long-running debate.
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“I think it’s unfair, and when I hear someone say it, I feel something I don’t like. The younger generations know, but they don’t know Pelé, Eusébio, or [Franz] Beckenbauer in depth, and then compare their soccer to today’s and today’s conditions… There are even some slightly comical details. 40 years ago, when it rained, the ball weighed 10 kilos, now it flies,” Mourinho said, via Sportynet.
Despite his opinion on the GOAT debate, Jose did not hesitate to crown Lionel Messi as the best player of this generation, placing him above Cristiano Ronaldo. In an interview with TNT in 2024, he remarked that the Argentine was “untrainable,” effortlessly mastering every aspect of the game. He even suggested that Messi could have taught him a thing or two.
