José Mourinho, the head coach of Real Madrid, expressed profound respect for Lionel Messi following the Argentine star’s confirmed retirement from the Argentina national team. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Real Madrid’s league match against Real Betis, Mourinho reflected on Messi’s illustrious career and his enduring quality on the pitch.
With characteristic frankness, Mourinho acknowledged the challenge of encapsulating Messi’s impact, noting that finding fresh adjectives to describe the legendary “10” is nearly impossible. “Talking about Messi is complicated,” he remarked with a smile, underscoring the unparalleled nature of the forward’s achievements.
Despite Messi’s age—having participated in his final World Cup at 39—Mourinho emphasized that the Argentine’s playing level remained exceptional. “There are no words that can describe his quality. He arrived at this World Cup and was what we all saw,” the coach stated, praising the unwavering excellence Messi displayed on the world stage.
Mixed Feelings on MLS
While Mourinho’s tribute to Messi was unequivocally positive, his comments took a critical turn when addressing the North American league, MLS, where many former stars have continued their careers. The Portuguese tactician did not mince words, openly expressing his dislike for the league’s style and approach. Although he did not elaborate extensively, Mourinho’s candid dismissal of MLS contrasted sharply with his admiration for Messi’s enduring high-level performances.