Jose Mourinho has continued his Benfica love affair two months on from leaving.
The Real Madrid coach led Benfica for much of last season, returning to his boyhood side.
Things didn’t work out with a trophyless season, but he always insisted how special the club was to him throughout Real’s pursuit.
In fact, he even made it clear a video of him in a Madrid shirt when he hadn’t yet signed was AI and done without his permission.
So when the topic came up of his feelings towards his former clubs, Mourinho reserved a special mention for the Eagles.
Mourinho insists Benfica mean more to him
“I’m not one to dwell on the past or feel nostalgic. I left Portugal 20 years ago and only returned for a few months last year,” he said.
“If you ask me if I feel anything for Roma, Inter, Chelsea… Of course I do. I want them to be well.
“I don’t talk about Benfica because it means something more in relation to these…”
Mourinho was speaking in relation to how he’s felt about Madrid since leaving in 2013.
He added: “I don’t think about what I leave behind. Every Real Madrid title came with a call from the president. But I always replied, ‘That has nothing to do with me.’
“I’m happy that my work has had a positive impact, but the titles belong to Carlo [Ancelotti], [Zinedine] Zidane, the players, and the fans.
He also spoke about his Bernabeu return during last season’s Champions League in which he was banned and didn’t enter the stadium.
He recalled: “I watched the game from the garage, inside the bus. I didn’t speak to anyone.
“First came the rumours, only then the conversations. But there are rumours every year, I don’t pay attention to that.
“When Real Madrid contacted me we were already eliminated, it was in the final stretch of the season. That’s when they asked me if I would be interested.”
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