Jose Mourinho fumes at ‘nine betrayers’ in stunning Benfica rant

Robin Bairner

22 Nov 2025 11:02 GMT
4 min read

Jose Mourinho, Benfica, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho went on an extraordinary rant after watching his side beat Atletico Clube de Portugal 2-0 in the Portuguese Cup on Friday, claiming there were players who “betrayed” him on the field.

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Up against a side struggling in Portugal’s regionalised third-tier, Mourinho watched his men labour to a narrow victory thanks to a goals scored in the final 20 minutes of the game.

The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid boss was furious about the application of his players.

Mourinho told the media after the game: “Our first half was poor. And it was poor in the area that hurts me most, which is attitude. The attitude was poor. There were many players who were not serious and did not approach things as they should have.

“At half-time I made four substitutions, but I wanted to make nine. With the players at half-time, I told them there were two who were taking the game seriously and whom I wanted to keep on the pitch. The other nine were not.”

© IMAGO - Jose Mourinho: Fuming with his Benfica players

When singling out debutant Rodrigo Rego for praise, Mourinho issued a further dig towards his more established players.

“I did not know if he would be capable of playing a great match, but I knew he would not betray me. And I do not like players who betray me, meaning players who do not play to their limits. I knew Rêgo would not do that. He produced a very positive, very balanced performance, and he was one of the two I would not have taken off at half-time.”

Jose Mourinho sends clear message to misfiring Benfica stars

Mourinho’s return to Benfica has not gone as smoothly as he would have wished. Despite posting an undefeated record in the league, his side are third in the standings, six points off the pace of Porto, while they have lost four from four in the Champions League ahead of a trip to Ajax on Tuesday.

“We had players who, from the first minute, simply were not there. And that, for me, is unacceptable. I have already told some of them not to come knocking on my door asking why they are not playing,” he warned.

“I don’t think the message is mine, I think it is general. From the Benfica supporters. In my case, I am the coach and the one responsible. The players have responsibilities to me and to the Benfica fans. And when it comes to attitude, there are things that are not acceptable.”

Mourinho’s message to his Benfica players is clear.

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