Not Ronaldo: Jose Mourinho names Messi as his biggest influence

Jose Mourinho’s coaching career has been defined by trophies, rivalries, and unforgettable nights. He guided FC Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League glory, managed Real Madrid during their fiery battles with Barcelona, and lifted league titles across Europe. But when asked which player influenced him the most, Mourinho’s answer was both surprising and brutally honest—it wasn’t Cristiano Ronaldo.

Instead, the Portuguese tactician pointed to Lionel Messi.

In a recent conversation with Sportynet, Mourinho revealed that Messi, not his former superstar Cristiano, was the player who forced him to constantly evolve. “Messi, because every time I played against him, he forced me to think a lot,” he admitted.

The night that changed everything

One of the defining moments came during Real Madrid’s 5-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2010. Mourinho recalled how Messi’s dominance reshaped his tactical approach. In the years that followed, he leaned on Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo down the left wing to strike more directly, a strategy developed partly to counter Messi’s influence.

Even Sami Khedira, who played under Mourinho, revealed in a 2024 interview that one of his manager’s greatest obsessions was finding ways to stop Messi. Though Mourinho couldn’t deliver a Champions League title with Real Madrid, he did succeed in blunting Messi’s brilliance in crucial games.

The endless GOAT debate

For over 15 years, football has been consumed by one question—Messi or Ronaldo? Coaches, fans, and players have all weighed in. But Mourinho offered a refreshing perspective. Speaking to Sportynet, he said:

“I think it’s unfair. When people compare Messi and Ronaldo, they forget Pelé, Eusébio, Beckenbauer… The game has changed. Even the ball is different. Forty years ago, it weighed ten kilos when wet; today it flies.”

Despite that, Mourinho had no hesitation in calling Messi the greatest of this generation, even ahead of Cristiano. In 2024, he described Messi as “untrainable,” a player who had mastered every facet of football effortlessly.

Messi’s lasting impression

For Mourinho, Messi wasn’t just another rival—he was the ultimate challenge. Each time the two faced off, Mourinho was pushed to adapt, refine, and grow. That, he admits, is what shaped him more than any other player.