Mourinho hits back at criticism at Benfica ahead of Porto clash

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Gazeta Esportiva.com

·13 January 2026

Mourinho hits back at criticism at Benfica ahead of Porto clash

In a press conference held this Tuesday, José Mourinho responded to media criticism and spoke about his relationship with the players.

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Controversy

Speaking about the “soap opera” created by the Portuguese press regarding his speech after the elimination by Braga in the League Cup, the 'Special One' doubled down and reaffirmed that he reached a high level in his career thanks to his personality and will not change that now.

“The dialogue (with the players) went very well, but I cannot be what you want me to be. Neither as a man nor as a coach. I cannot play poorly and say I played well, I cannot accept mediocrity, neither from others nor from myself. I got where I am by being Mourinho and I will be Mourinho until the end,” the coach declared.

Regarding his relationship with the athletes, Mourinho admits that he does not maintain constant contact with 100% of his players throughout his career, but he guarantees having a positive track record.

“I got where I am being who I am and how I am, most of my players like me and I talk to hundreds of players”

Classic on the horizon

Porto and Benfica face each other this Wednesday (14), at 5:45 PM (Brasília time), in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup, at the Estádio do Dragão. Projecting the match, Mourinho made it clear that he expects a more tense duel.