Jose Mourinho fires veiled messages at Atletico Madrid and Barcelona with penalty question

Jose Mourinho used a news conference at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground to send a series of indirect messages aimed at several figures and institutions, including Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, referees and the media.

The Real Madrid manager was responding to a question about his previous claim that he needed three months to shape the team in the way he wanted. His answer appeared to contain a pointed reference to Simeone, who has been in charge of Atletico Madrid for more than a decade.

“If I suggested that I was talking about three months, the answer is no. Am I asking for 10 months and another 10 years?” Mourinho said.

Although he did not mention Simeone by name, the reference appeared to contrast Mourinho’s stated timeframe with the length of the Argentine’s tenure at Atletico Madrid.

Mourinho then turned his attention to the recent refereeing debate in Spanish football, ending the news conference with a brief remark that appeared designed to provoke questions about two controversial penalty decisions.

“No questions about penalties? Strange, isn’t it?” he said.

The comment appeared to refer to the penalties recently awarded to Barcelona against Levante and Atletico Madrid against Real Sociedad. Mourinho seemed prepared to discuss the incidents, but was not asked directly about either decision.

He left the point unresolved, offering no further details about the individual refereeing calls. The remark appeared to be directed towards Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and the officials, while also potentially expressing frustration with the media for not raising the subject.

Mourinho also discussed Zinedine Zidane, the France manager, but his comments were framed as a warning rather than criticism. He was asked about Aurelien Tchouameni’s condition and whether the midfielder could join the France squad during the international break.

“I have not spoken to Zidane, but I think he is a sensible man and will know what is best for him. If he decides to manage the national team, it should be to help them without compromising the player’s future,” Mourinho said.

He added: “I have great confidence that Zidane will know how to handle things correctly.”

Mourinho said he trusted Zidane to make the appropriate decision over Tchouameni’s involvement, with the player’s development protected and the risk of excessive fatigue avoided.