Benfica coach Jose Mourinho said his Real Madrid counterpart Alvaro Arbeloa was like a child to him ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday.
The veteran Portuguese manager coached Arbeloa at Madrid during his time at the helm of Los Blancos between 2010 and 2013, and had a strong relationship with the former defender in a dressing room that was splintering.
After a comment from Mourinho last week about being “surprised” when inexperienced managers managed major European clubs was seen as a dig at new Madrid coach Arbeloa, he said he would never try to make life difficult for his former charge.
Former Inter Milan coach Mourinho said his words were also taken in Italy as criticism of Cristian Chivu’s appointment to Serie A last summer.
«There is one problem: both Chivu and Arbeloa are my children, they are not only ex-players of mine, but they are special,» Mourinho told a press conference on Tuesday.
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“Speaking of Alvaro, I would say he is one of the players – from a human point of view, from a personal point of view and personal empathy – he is one of my favorites of all.
«Obviously he is not the best player to have played for Real Madrid, but he is certainly one of the best men to have played for me at Real Madrid.»
Mourinho said he was surprised when he himself was given the opportunity to manage Benfica at the start of his coaching career in 2000, so his words could not be taken as an insult.
“The last thing I would do would be to put pressure on him,” the 63-year-old explained. I want everything to go well for him and for him to have a fantastic career as a coach.»
‘No calling required’
Mourinho said he had not spoken to Arbeloa since the 43-year-old Xabi replaced Alonso at the helm but that there was no need.
“My phone number is very complicated because there is only the club number, and then only my family has it, and then my other phone is always changing, changing, changing,” Mourinho explained.
“People lose my contact and I also lose theirs, and with Alvaro there is no need to be called to say ‘good luck’, he knows that.
«The same way I (want Real Madrid to win games), Alvaro wants to beat Benfica, but after that he hopes that Benfica always wins, that’s for sure – no call is necessary.»
Mourinho said he had not spoken to Arbeloa since the 43-year-old Xabi replaced Alonso at the helm but that there was no need. | Photo credit: AFP
Mourinho said he had not spoken to Arbeloa since the 43-year-old Xabi replaced Alonso at the helm but that there was no need. | Photo credit: AFP
Mourinho admitted he could not yet speak to Arbeloa’s quality as a coach because he had not seen Madrid’s reserves or youth teams play.
«I can’t analyze him as a coach because I don’t know him,» Mourinho said. “I have only seen results and have not followed with my own eyes the trajectory of the young people in Madrid…
«I have no advice to give him. The only thing that matters to me is that he is happy, that he enjoys it, because coaching is a very difficult mission these days.»
Madrid can seal their place in the last 16 with a win, while Benfica must win and hope other results come their way to reach the play-off round.
Published on January 27, 2026
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