Mourinho, a coach with 26 trophies to his name, has worked with some of the greatest players in football history, including five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Wesley Sneijder, and Frank Lampard. ..Continue Reading
The 61-year-old has managed top clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United.
However, he feels he missed out on managing a dream player. When YouTuber Ohm asked him which superstars he wished he’d worked with, Mourinho immediately mentioned eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
Despite Messi causing plenty of trouble for Mourinho’s teams at Chelsea, Inter, and Real, and the occasional jibe exchanged between them, Mourinho holds him in the highest esteem.
Mourinho also praised Roma legends Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti, whom he tried to sign but couldn’t.
“For example, I never got to train Lionel Messi, but then nobody can train Messi,” he said.
“It is absurd to think you could coach him, because he was born with everything and already knows everything. He might teach you some things. All you could say is that you had the honour of having him in your squad.
“To stay in the Roma theme, I would’ve liked to have [Daniele] De Rossi at Inter and Real Madrid, but it was not possible. I also wanted [Francesco] Totti at Inter, despite his age at the time, but it was not possible either. These are players I always wanted in my career.”
In June, Mourinho reiterated his admiration for the Barcelona legend during a segment with Rio Ferdinand for TNT Sports.
When asked which player he wished he had signed, just before the Champions League final between Real and Borussia Dortmund, Mourinho once again chose Messi. He described Messi as the “little guy” with “uncoachable” natural talent.
“Of course I would say the little guy,” Mourinho said.
“But the little guy was not coachable. But I have to say that in our generation, he was the best player.”
