Benfica move to deny controversial Mourinho comments | OneFootball

Benfica have rejected comments attributed to José Mourinho about Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo. The club said in a statement that the claims were completely false and that the coach had not spoken to anyone during the final international break before the 2026 World Cup.

The disputed report suggested Mourinho said that without Ronaldo Portugal look like an ordinary side, and that opponents think twice when he is on the pitch but not at all when he is absent.

It also portrayed him as arguing that people kept asking not to call Ronaldo up, pointing to a match he did not play and the result as evidence. The piece claimed there was no threat or fear for the opposition and only a team being pressed by Mexico.

Benfica further denied alleged remarks about Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti leaving Neymar out of friendlies against France, a 1-2 defeat, and Croatia, scheduled for 01:00 mainland Portugal time on Wednesday.

Those lines were reported as comparing any omission of Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to Brazil excluding Neymar, branding such a decision disrespectful and noting Neymar had made a mistake. The club insists none of these comments came from their coach.

Source: Glorioso 1904