Portal dos Dragões
·20 September 2025
Mourinho: Calling Benfica huge doesn’t mean Porto aren’t

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsPortal dos Dragões
·20 September 2025
In a press conference, José Mourinho commented on Benfica's 3-0 victory against Vila das Aves. The coach of the Eagles discussed his relationship with FC Porto:
«By saying that Benfica is one of the biggest clubs in the world, I didn't say that Porto isn't. If you ask me if Porto is a giant club, I say yes. If you ask me if I have affection for Porto, I say yes. I say yes to everything. I didn't come to Benfica to annoy Porto. I came to Benfica to enjoy the opportunity to coach at a high level and at a club with high ambitions. They won't be upset with me, but I spoke with the president, with Villas-Boas, and with president Varandas of Sporting. If we have a good relationship, if we are friends and respect each other… If I am with Benfica, it doesn't mean I'm here to wage war. Do I expect to be cheered at the Dragão? Obviously not. I played at the Dragão with Chelsea and I wasn't cheered. Porto is a very important part of my history, and I am a very important part of Porto. My staff and I, half are from the North and half from the South, so we decided: we go to various places, but only to clubs that are winning and where our presence doesn't put anything in doubt. It was Porto last week, we were going to see Sporting with Moreirense now. In two weeks, we were going to see Real Madrid vs Villarreal. I had decided: we won't go to Benfica, Inter Milan isn't doing well either, it was said I could go, we won't go. I go to the Dragão with no intention».
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.