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La Liga: I wish Atletico vs Barcelona could end in double defeat — Mourinho
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on X on Friday, the Real Madrid manager said he would prefer both teams to lose when they meet at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday.
“Atletico vs Barcelona? I’d like both of them to lose,” Mourinho stated. “Unfortunately that’s not possible. Points will inevitably be dropped, and that’s the best possible news.”
The comment comes as Barcelona sit top of the table with 30 points from 11 games, two points clear of Atlético Madrid (28 points) and three ahead of Real Madrid (27 points). A victory for either side would strengthen their title credentials, while a draw would ensure both drop points, an outcome that would benefit Madrid’s challenge.
The match is one of the biggest of the season so far, pitting Diego Simeone’s solid Atlético side against Hansi Flick’s free-scoring Barcelona. Both teams head into the fixture in strong form, making Mourinho’s wish for mutual disappointment a difficult one to fulfil.
Kick-off is set for 21:00 local time on Sunday, 8 November 2026.
Mourinho also responded to Cristiano Ronaldo’s decision to retire from the Portugal national team.
The Real Madrid manager said: “His decision must be respected, and I do respect it. He hasn’t ended his career; those who know him are aware that he still has goals.”
Mourinho, who coached Ronaldo during their successful spell together at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, stressed that the 41-year-old’s exit from international football does not mark the end of his playing days.
He added that he hopes Ronaldo’s eventual full retirement as a player will come on a different kind of day from the one on which he announced his departure from the national team.
Ronaldo confirmed his retirement from Portugal duty on Thursday after 23 years, following a period of tension with national team coach Jorge Jesus. Mourinho declined to assess the circumstances of the decision in detail, focusing instead on respect for Ronaldo’s choice and the forward’s remaining ambitions at club level with Al-Nassr.
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