Jose Mourinho has backed the strength of his Real Madrid squad and ruled out any move for Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, despite describing the teenager as a player with “huge potential”.
Mourinho made the comments in an exclusive interview with Spanish programme El Chiringuito as Spain’s domestic football season officially got under way.
The Portuguese manager has returned to the Real Madrid dugout with the task of restoring the club to the top of Spanish and European football. Barcelona, meanwhile, begin the new campaign as defending champions and with confidence in the work being carried out under head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco.
Mourinho, who previously coached Deco at Porto, was asked about Barcelona’s sporting project and offered an unusually warm assessment of their work.
“I liked that, it’s an excellent job carried out between Hansi Flick and Deco, and of course the players. I liked it very much,” he said.
However, when the discussion turned to the possibility of signing Yamal, Mourinho gave a definitive answer. The young Barcelona forward has emerged as one of football’s most prominent talents and was described in the interview as a European and world champion.
“I don’t want him. He is without doubt a young player with huge potential. It is not usual to be a European and world champion at the age of 19, but we have a top squad. I will not make room for any other player at the moment. Now they are my players, and they are the best,” Mourinho said.
The response underlined his commitment to the group currently at his disposal at Real Madrid, while also offering public recognition of Yamal’s ability.
Mourinho’s return to the club represents a major change for Real Madrid, with the team entering a new phase shaped by significant alterations and the manager’s return to the bench. His remarks came at a time when attention in Spain is already focused on the opening stages of another season featuring the country’s fiercest rivalry.
Although Mourinho initially adopted a calm tone during the interview, he soon returned to the direct and outspoken style that has defined much of his career. His comments about Yamal were therefore interpreted as both a reassuring message to the Real Madrid dressing room and a gesture of respect towards their traditional rivals.
Barcelona will begin the season as holders, while Real Madrid seek to recover the titles under Mourinho. The contrast between Barcelona’s established project and Madrid’s new beginning is expected to fuel interest from the opening rounds of the campaign.
Mourinho’s refusal to pursue Yamal, coupled with his declaration that his current players are “the best”, is likely to add further intrigue to a Spanish season that already promises to be highly competitive.
