No Means No, Perez! Jose Mourinho Shushes Real Madrid Talks Before UCL Showdown

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 14:18 IST

Jose Mourinho affirms loyalty to Benfica despite Florentino Perez links, ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho insists he can say no to Florentino Perez.

Ahead of Benfica’s Champions League play-off clash against Real Madrid, the Portuguese coach moved quickly to cool talk of a sensational return to the Spanish capital.

“Can you say no? Yes," Mourinho said when asked if he could reject an approach from Perez. “Yes, you can."

Mourinho, who managed Madrid from 2010 to 2013, has a break clause in his Benfica contract, signed during the club’s 2025 presidential election period, which sparked speculation Perez could turn to him again next season.

But Mourinho was clear: “The only thing that exists is that I have another year on my contract with Benfica… there is nothing with Real Madrid."

Old Bonds, Clear Boundaries

He didn’t hide the affection.

“I gave everything to Real Madrid… I did good things, I did bad things, but I gave absolutely everything," he said. “When someone leaves a club with those type of feelings, a connection always exists."

Still, he stressed the clause was designed to protect Benfica during an electoral transition and not to engineer an exit. Rui Costa was ultimately re-elected, and Mourinho remains in charge.

For now, sentiment is parked. Competition comes first.

“I would very much like to eliminate Real Madrid," he admitted, before adding he hopes Alvaro Arbeloa wins La Liga and stays in the job “for many years."

Revenge in the Air

Benfica beat Madrid 4-2 in January’s league phase, but Mourinho expects a different beast at Estadio da Luz.

“The Real Madrid I expect tomorrow is the Real Madrid who are the number one favourites to win the Champions League."

Arbeloa echoed the competitive edge: “My objective is to eliminate Benfica."

Midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was blunt: Madrid want to win “with the spirit of revenge."

Friendships aside, this one is personal.

(with AFP inputs)

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