José Mourinho expressed his regret at not being able to watch Lionel Messi following the announcement of the Argentina star’s international retirement earlier this week.
At 39 years old, Messi made his retirement official on Monday, having captained Argentina to the World Cup final last summer, and previously winning the tournament in 2022.
Mourinho, who has returned to Real Madrid for a second tenure, faced Messi’s Barcelona for three seasons from 2010 to 2013 amid a fierce El Clásico rivalry.
“Words cannot capture his quality as a player,” Mourinho remarked during a news conference on Thursday when discussing Messi’s exit from international football. “What he accomplished at the World Cup at his age… He is a player we will miss. We will have to tune into some MLS matches to enjoy his final years, though I’m unsure if that will be for just one season or multiple.”
“He’s one of those players who will always be missed. For our generation, over the past two decades, we all recognize what he stands for.”
Mourinho’s comments came ahead of Madrid’s LaLiga fixture against Real Betis on Friday, where his team has achieved a perfect nine points from three matches this season.
During the press conference, he also addressed the situation involving defender Raúl Asencio, who was convicted of drink driving after being pulled over by police in Gran Canaria last month.
Asencio, 23, is also undergoing trial this week for allegedly distributing sexually explicit videos of a minor.
“When I arrived, I spoke with him about past matters,” Mourinho stated. “At [Madrid’s training ground] Valdebebas, I would describe him as an exemplary professional. When fit, no one has trained harder than him. Even while injured, he has been the first to arrive and the last to leave.”
“However, being a Real Madrid player is 24/7, 365 days a year. What you do off the pitch reflects back on Real Madrid, and it tarnishes our prestigious reputation, which is beyond reproach. What I mean to say is that I’m not pleased. Everyone makes mistakes, but a pattern of errors crosses the line.”
“The club has initiated disciplinary procedures, and for me as coach, while that process is ongoing, I still see him as a Real Madrid player. He is injured and will remain sidelined for a few weeks at a minimum.”
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Real Madrid will face Betis, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, who previously coincided with Mourinho during his first stint in LaLiga.
Mourinho had previously criticized Pellegrini, who was managing Málaga after his time at the Bernabéu, implying that if he were to leave Madrid, he would join a more prestigious club.
“In the past, there have been moments, things you’ve said or done that make you feel foolish,” Mourinho reflected on Thursday when asked about their dispute. “You realize your mistakes. I made some comments that were quite foolish, and I am not proud of them… He is a fantastic coach in my opinion, an exemplary figure both as a coach and a person, and I hold him in high regard.”