Jose Mourinho has played down rumours linking him with a return to Real Madrid as his side Benfica prepare to face the Spanish giants in the UEFA Champions League play-off round.
Speaking on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg clash in Lisbon, Mourinho said he is fully committed to Benfica and dismissed speculation that he could rejoin Madrid next season. The two teams will meet again in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next week.
The 63-year-old Portuguese coach previously managed Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. Reports have suggested that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez could consider bringing him back, especially because Mourinho’s current contract with Benfica includes a clause that allows either party to end the deal.
However, Mourinho made it clear that there is no agreement with Madrid.
“Can you say no? Yes, you can,” he told reporters when asked if he could reject an offer from Perez.
He admitted he has a strong friendship with Perez and still feels connected to Real Madrid, but insisted his focus remains on Benfica.
“I gave everything to Real Madrid. I did good things, I did bad things, but I gave absolutely everything,” Mourinho said. “When you leave a club with those feelings, the connection always exists.”
He explained that the break clause in his Benfica contract was included because he signed during a presidential election period at the club in 2025. The clause was meant to protect both him and the club in case new leadership wanted changes. In the end, Rui Costa was re-elected as Benfica president.
“There is a clause that is very easy for both me and Benfica to break the contract, but the only thing that exists now is my contract with Benfica. There is nothing with Real Madrid,” he said.
Despite his respect for Madrid, Mourinho said he would love to eliminate them from the competition. However, he also praised Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, saying he hopes Arbeloa wins La Liga and stays at the club for many years.
“I think he has the personality to coach Madrid, which is not something anyone can do,” Mourinho added.
Benfica already defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in the league phase of the competition in January, but Mourinho expects a much tougher match this time.
“The Real Madrid I expect tomorrow is the Real Madrid who are number one favourites to win the Champions League,” he said.
On the other side, Arbeloa said he respects Mourinho but is determined to knock Benfica out and reach the last 16.
“My objective is to eliminate Benfica, and after that he can win everything else,” Arbeloa said.
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga said the team is motivated by revenge after their earlier defeat in Lisbon.
“We want to play a great game because losing like that was tough for our fans,” Camavinga said. “We want to win with the spirit of revenge.”
The match is expected to attract global attention as two European heavyweights battle for a place in the next round, with Mourinho once again facing one of the clubs that shaped his successful coaching career.
