In a recent interview with Eleven, José Mourinho shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi, reflecting on the Argentine legend’s peak years and his impact on Barcelona. Known for his candid and insightful opinions, Mourinho discussed how Messi’s immense talent could have transformed any team he managed and shared his views on how Barcelona handled the final years of Messi’s career at the club.
“If I Had Messi at 22…”
Mourinho began by imagining what it would have been like to have Messi at the age of 22 under his management. “If I had Messi at the age of 22, it would be easy to win the Champions League. I would build a team, bring all the stars in the world around him, conquer all of Europe, and win all the titles,” he stated confidently. Mourinho’s appreciation for Messi’s unparalleled abilities is clear, and he believes that with the right squad around him, Messi could have dominated Europe with even more success.
Barcelona’s Mismanagement of Messi’s Final Years
Mourinho did not hold back in critiquing Barcelona’s handling of Messi’s later years at the club. “Messi in his last years, I think 5 years, they didn't have a team at the level. Oh my God, you have Messi and you want titles, and you bring players who aren't at the level. Unfortunately, they wasted his efforts,” Mourinho said, reflecting on how Barcelona’s mismanagement of transfers and team-building potentially cost Messi and the club more silverware during his final seasons at Camp Nou.
Age is Unforgiving
While Messi is still performing at a high level, Mourinho acknowledged the inevitable effects of time on the player's ability to sustain his peak performance. “Age is unforgiving, and Messi won't stay at the same level every year,” Mourinho remarked, emphasizing that even the greatest players are subject to the passage of time. He believes that Barcelona’s management failed to fully appreciate the value of Messi in those final years, and it cost them dearly.
The Void Left by Messi’s Departure
Mourinho also touched on the challenge Barcelona faces in filling the void Messi left. “Now there is no number 10 in Barcelona, and Messi is difficult to replace with a player,” he said, acknowledging that Barça’s iconic number 10 jersey remains empty, symbolizing the massive gap left by the Argentine’s departure. Mourinho clearly feels that finding a true successor to Messi will be a monumental task for Barcelona.
Signing Messi Today?
Despite Messi being in the later stages of his career, Mourinho didn't hesitate to express his admiration for the player, even joking about signing him now. “Signing him now? Without hesitation, I would sign him for life (laughs),” he quipped, showing that despite Messi’s age, he still considers the player to be a unique and invaluable asset.
Mourinho’s words reflect both admiration for Messi’s greatness and frustration over how Barcelona may have mishandled the final years of his career at the club. For a coach like Mourinho, who values team building and strategic success, having Messi in his prime would have been an easy ticket to European domination.
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