Alvaro Morata says Jose Mourinho’s latest outburst will make him watch El Clasico

Alvaro Morata has admitted he had been waiting for Jose Mourinho to produce one of his trademark angry outbursts, saying the Portuguese manager makes football more entertaining and could even be the reason he watches El Clasico.

Morata, speaking after Mourinho criticised the refereeing following his team’s defeat by Real Betis, said he was amused to see the former Real Madrid manager return to the confrontational style associated with him.

“Honestly, I couldn’t wait for him to say something like that because it makes me laugh,” Morata said.

The Spain striker was speaking to Manu Carreno on the programme El Larguero, before discussing Mourinho further in an interview with Cadena SER. He said the manager understood how to create drama and attract attention to the game.

“If you are a football fan, I am sure that as soon as he said it, people would watch it and look for it, and in the end, that is what makes it more entertaining,” Morata added.

Morata also revealed that Mourinho’s involvement could influence his viewing plans for a major fixture.

“As a fan, I hope Atletico Madrid win La Liga, but I enjoy the match… Now, if there is an El Clasico, I will watch it to see Mourinho as well.”

He later made clear that he welcomed the type of fiery press conferences often associated with Mourinho, arguing that they added a distinctive character to football.

“They certainly leave nobody in the media feeling indifferent,” Morata said.

Mourinho gave Morata his first opportunity at Real Madrid, and the striker has retained a strong connection with the manager despite the many changes in his career since leaving Spain. Morata has since had spells with Milan, Galatasaray and Como, although he has not found the consistency he wanted.

After leaving Atletico Madrid in 2014, Morata returned to Madrid this season by joining Leganes on loan until the end of the campaign. The move took him to Spain’s second division, following a difficult period at Como, where his appearances were limited under Cesc Fabregas.

Morata said he was pleased with the project at Leganes and praised the commitment of the club and its owners.

“I think it is a great project, with a strong commitment from the club and the owners. It is a very promising project, and since I joined the club, many players have shown interest in it and asked me about it. I did not expect all this media attention. It is a club where I love the way things are run, the staff and the wonderful atmosphere in the stadium,” he said.

The interview also covered Morata’s desire to return to the highest level of Spanish football, his exclusion from Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, and his views on players including Rodri and Julian Alvarez.

However, his comments about Mourinho became the main talking point. For Morata, the return of the manager’s more controversial and theatrical persona was enough to make a big match even more compelling and a reason to sit down in front of the television.

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