José Mourinho said he will miss watching Lionel Messi after the Argentina star announced his retirement from international football this week.
Messi, 39, confirmed his retirement on Monday after captaining Argentina to the World Cup final this summer. He had previously led the team to the title in 2022.
Mourinho — who is back at Real Madrid for a second spell in charge — faced Messi’s Barcelona for three seasons in LaLiga between 2010 and 2013 during one of the fiercest periods of the El Clásico rivalry.
“There are no words to describe his quality as a player,” Mourinho said Thursday at a news conference when asked about Messi’s departure from the international stage. “With what he did at the World Cup, at 39 years old ... He’s a player we’ll miss. We’ll have to watch some MLS games to enjoy his last years. I don’t know if it will be a season or seasons.
“He’s one of those players who, as I said the other day, you always miss. For our generation, over these last two decades, we all know what he represents.”
Mourinho was speaking ahead of Madrid’s LaLiga game against Real Betis on Friday. Madrid have taken nine points from their opening three league games this season.
The coach was also asked about defender Raúl Asencio, who was convicted of drink-driving on Wednesday after being stopped by police in Gran Canaria last month.
Asencio, 23, is also facing trial this week over the alleged distribution of sexually explicit videos involving a minor.
“I spoke to him when I arrived, about things in the past,” Mourinho said. “At Valdebebas, I’d say he’s an exemplary professional.
“When he’s been fit, nobody has trained better than him. Since being injured, he’s been the first to arrive and the last to leave.
“But a Real Madrid player is a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 12 months a year. What you do outside your profession is still Real Madrid, and it hurts Real Madrid’s prestige, which is untouchable.
“What I’m saying is that I’m not happy. Everyone makes mistakes, but a series of mistakes is something else.
“The club has begun disciplinary proceedings, and for me as coach, while that process is ongoing, I see him as a Real Madrid player. He’s injured, and he will be injured for a few weeks, minimum.”
