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Legendary coach Jose Mourinho once named Lionel Messi as the one player he would have liked to work with one day. The Portuguese tactician is well-known for managing Messi's archrival, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Real Madrid (2010-2013).
During Mourinho's time at Real Madrid, Lionel Messi was at his peak in Barcelona, where he spent most of his club career. Over the years, the Portuguese coach went on to manage juggernauts like Chelsea and Manchester United. However, he never worked with the Argentine despite reports suggesting Messi was close to signing for Chelsea in 2014. Mourinho reportedly played an important role in convincing him at that time, although the deal never materialized.
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In a 2024 interview with Rio Ferdinand for TNT Sports, Jose Mourinho was asked to name one player he would have liked to coach in his career. The legendary manager did not hesitate to name Lionel Messi, and said (via SPORTBible):
"Of course, I would say the little guy. But the little guy was not coachable. But I have to say that in our generation, he was the best player."
Despite leaving European football almost two years ago, Lionel Messi has maintained a decent form for club and country. The Argentine legend is currently representing Inter Miami at the FIFA Club World Cup. He has recorded 15 goals and six assists in 21 appearances across competitions.
When Jose Mourinho claimed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have set the bar "very high" in football
In a 2019 episode of On the Touchline with Jose Mourinho for RT, the Portuguese tactician spoke about Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic rivalry in football. Mourinho believed the two icons are both lucky and unlucky to have been born in the same generation.
"I think they are lucky and unlucky to be in the same generation. They are lucky because they can compete against each other. They look to each other in a positive way and get extra motivation. If there were only one of them, they would have ten Golden Boots," he said (via SPORTBible).
The coach also claimed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have set the bar very high in football, but will not last forever.
"Now, I think they have put the bar really high. And you have the players coming behind, who I like to call the 'little monsters.' The bar has to be high, so it has to be incredible motivation for Neymar, [Kylian] Mbappé and [Antoine] Griezmann. Unfortunately, Cristiano and Messi will not last forever," Mourinho added.
Mourinho has previously also named Messi alongside Pele and Diego Maradona as the best players in history. Despite sharing an indirect rivalry during Messi's peak years under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona, Jose Mourinho has often been appreciative of the Argentine's greatness.
