The Catalan newspaper, known for its support of FC Barcelona, rubbed salt into the wounds of a struggling Real Madrid, who suffered a harsh 4-2 defeat against Portugal’s Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. It did so by publishing a collection of controversial old archive photos of the former ‘Royal’ club and current Benfica coach, José Mourinho, from his time as part of the coaching staff at Barcelona.
The newspaper published these rare archive photos of Mourinho under the headline “See it to believe it.” The photos capture the famous Portuguese coach as part of the backroom staff under former Barcelona managers, the late Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal.
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Social media users considered this move to be part of the ongoing rivalry between the two giants of Spanish football, coming at a sensitive time for Real Madrid. The club suffered a heavy loss at the hands of their former coach, José Mourinho, who led Benfica to a historic victory yesterday. This result forces Real Madrid to go through a playoff to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. The publication also aims to remind the Spanish capital’s team and its fans that Mourinho, who previously coached Real Madrid and defeated them yesterday, once wore the Barcelona badge.
Mourinho (first from left) during his time at FC BarcelonaMourinho (second from right) during his time at FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Catalan, German, and English footballers. It is more than a sports club, representing Catalan identity and culture, with the motto “Més que un club” (“More than a club”). The club’s history is deeply intertwined with the social and political developments of Catalonia throughout the 20th century.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, historically renowned for its European dominance, particularly during the 1950s and its record number of UEFA Champions League titles.
Portugal
Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, with a history deeply shaped by its Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries when it established a vast maritime empire. Its rich cultural heritage is reflected in landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon and the historic center of Porto, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Benfica
Benfica is a historic Lisbon neighborhood most famous for being the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of Portugal’s most successful football clubs, founded in 1904. The area’s modern identity is deeply intertwined with the club’s history and its iconic Estádio da Luz stadium, which was rebuilt for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament.
Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was first introduced in the 1955–56 season as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current format in 1992 to become the premier tournament for Europe’s top football clubs.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a historic Mediterranean port city and the capital of Catalonia, Spain, with origins dating back to a Roman colony in the 1st century BC. It is globally renowned for its unique architecture, most notably the modernist masterpieces of Antoni Gaudí like the Sagrada Família, and its vibrant cultural life centered around landmarks such as the Gothic Quarter.
José Mourinho
José Mourinho is a highly successful Portuguese football manager known for his tactical acumen and charismatic, often controversial, personality. He rose to prominence after leading FC Porto to UEFA Champions League victory in 2004, later achieving significant success with clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. His career is defined by winning numerous domestic league titles and European trophies across different countries.
Bobby Robson
Bobby Robson was a highly respected English football manager and former player, best known for his successful tenure at Ipswich Town and as the manager of the England national team from 1982 to 1990. His legacy is honored by the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, a major cancer charity he established, and the Sir Bobby Robson Stand at Newcastle United’s St. James’ Park stadium.
Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal is a renowned Dutch football manager and former player, best known for his successful coaching career with clubs like Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, as well as the Netherlands national team. His history includes winning the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995 and implementing a distinctive, disciplined tactical philosophy that influenced many modern coaches.
Mbappé
“Mbappé” does not refer to a place or cultural site, but to Kylian Mbappé, a French professional footballer. He rose to prominence at AS Monaco before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 and has become one of the world’s most celebrated athletes, known for his speed and goal-scoring ability.
Pérez
Pérez is a common Spanish surname and not a specific place or cultural site. Without additional context, it is not possible to provide a historical summary of a location by this name.
Spanish football
Spanish football is centered around La Liga, one of the world’s most prestigious domestic leagues, and the Spanish national team, which won the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Its history is deeply marked by historic rivalries, most notably El Clásico between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, which often reflects broader cultural and political identities within Spain.
Spanish capital
Madrid, the capital of Spain, was established as a city in the 9th century during Muslim rule and later became the permanent seat of the Spanish monarchy in 1561 under King Philip II. Today, it is a major European cultural hub, renowned for its art museums, historic plazas, and vibrant urban life.
