Mourinho on Real Madrid return: Mbappe, Rodri, and the Negreira scent

Jose Mourinho has spoken to the media for the first time since returning to Real Madrid. In an interview with Josep Pedrerol, the Portuguese coach emphasized that while he has matured, his core football DNA remains unchanged. He noted that he has learned to focus on moving forward rather than dwelling on past mistakes.

Regarding Kylian Mbappe, Mourinho was full of praise, stating: "Mbappe is amazing. Sometimes he makes me laugh in training because he is so good, his level is from another planet." He also highlighted the striker's commitment, noting that he arrived for training earlier than required.

On the transfer front, Jose Mourinho revealed why the club did not pursue Rodri further. "Rodri had doubts, he hesitated, and Rodri's doubts made me doubt too. Real Madrid is a club of such stature that it does not allow the presence of players who think twice about their decision," he explained.

Mourinho did not shy away from controversial topics, including the "Negreira" case. When asked if he sensed anything suspicious regarding refereeing during his first stint in Spain, he replied: "When I was here, I smelt something."

The coach also defended Vinicius Junior, urging referees to provide him with better protection on the pitch. "People have to learn how to deal with him, and I'm talking here about the referees. You cannot award a penalty to one player and not award it to Vinicius," he said, adding that the player remains deeply committed to the club.