Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, has criticized Porto assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez for allegedly calling him a traitor “50 times” during the heated moments following their 2-2 draw in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
The match saw Benfica stage a remarkable comeback from 2-0 down, equalizing with a late goal from substitute Leandro Barreiro in the 88th minute, which ignited tension at the Estadio da Luz. This resulted in Mourinho receiving a red card after a confrontation with Porto’s coaching staff.
Gonzalez, a former Argentine midfielder turned assistant coach at Porto, was also dismissed from the match, with Mourinho confirming their altercation was fueled by the repeated accusations of betrayal. “I’d like him to explain to me, traitor to what?” Mourinho expressed.
He elaborated, saying, “I gave my all to Porto, Chelsea, Inter, and Real Madrid. I’ve invested my entire life into this work. That’s what professionalism means. Insults from fans are one thing, but it’s unacceptable for a professional colleague to call me a traitor. A traitor to what? To giving my all for Benfica? I was not pleased.”
When questioned about the reason for his red card, Mourinho provided a somewhat tongue-in-cheek response, stating, “The referee claimed I was carded for kicking a ball towards the Porto bench, which is completely untrue. I often kick the ball into the stands to share the moment with fans after goals. Admittedly, I’m not the most skilled player, but that was my intention.”
Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration after the match (AFP/Getty)
While Mourinho began his managerial career at Benfica in 2000, he also had a remarkable period at Porto, famously winning the Champions League in the 2003/04 season. He returned to Benfica as manager in September 2025.
This draw leaves Benfica currently in third place in the Primera Liga, trailing local rivals Sporting CP by three points and leaders Porto by seven, with only nine matches remaining in the season.