Jose Mourinho, 63, has returned to Real Madrid ahead of the 2026-27 season and spoke openly about his rivalry with Barcelona.
The coach emphasized he holds no ill will towards the Catalan club, with whom he shared an important personal and professional chapter. "In Barcelona, as a family, we had an amazing, amazing period. My daughter came to Barcelona at one month old, my son was born in Barcelona. My wife, the kids and I spent four amazing years in Barcelona. And I cannot have any bad feeling about it," he told Vanity Fair.
However, football is football, and Mourinho has faced Barcelona multiple times—first with Chelsea, then big Champions League battles with Inter, and finally at Real Madrid. "I think it was destiny that put us against each other. I don’t deny I love Real Madrid, and this is the reason I’m going back. But I don’t have bad feelings in relation to Barcelona at all. I just enjoy playing against them because in football, you enjoy playing against the best. The best push you to be better than you are," Mourinho said.
Real Madrid has been active in the transfer market, signing Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konate, Marc Cucurella, and reportedly closing a deal for Denzel Dumfries. Mourinho’s return promises a fierce battle between these Spanish giants.
