2 min learnMar 10, 2026 01:49 PM IST
Benfica coach José Mourinho was left fuming after Benfica’s dramatic 2-2 draw in opposition to FC Porto, a match that ended with the 63-year-old being despatched off and concerned in a heated confrontation with Porto assistant Luis González. The incident occurred throughout stoppage time of the Liga Portugal match on Sunday when Mourinho acquired a crimson card.
The referee acknowledged that the Benfica supervisor had kicked a ball towards the Porto bench, resulting in a short confrontation that additionally noticed González dismissed. Nonetheless, Mourinho argued that the actual drawback was the fixed abuse he confronted in the course of the match.
“He known as me a traitor 50 instances. I would like him to elucidate what a traitor means. I went to FC Porto and gave my all there. I went to Chelsea, Inter, and Actual Madrid. I travelled the world and devoted my life to soccer. That’s known as professionalism,” Mourinho mentioned after the match.
For Mourinho, the accusation hit on the core of his profession, constructed on unwavering dedication to each membership he has managed. “He might have insulted me otherwise. Possibly he would have chosen higher phrases, however I see it as an assault on my professionalism.” The Portuguese coach additionally questioned why such feedback would come from somebody throughout the sport, noting that altering golf equipment is a pure a part of an expert profession. “Insults from followers are one factor; it’s a part of soccer. These are the identical followers who praised me once I walked across the metropolis. However from a fellow skilled… he’s an expert like me and has performed for various groups throughout his profession. I don’t get it.”
The stress of the match was heightened by Mourinho’s lengthy historical past with Porto. From 2002 to 2004, he guided the membership by means of one among its best eras, profitable consecutive league titles and the UEFA Champions League earlier than shifting to Chelsea. Now teaching Benfica, Porto’s greatest rivals, Mourinho’s return to Portuguese soccer has added extra emotion to the matches between the 2 groups.