Mbappe treble gives Mourinho winning first night back at Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho began his return to the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid manager with a 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Wednesday, 13 years after he last occupied the home dugout.

The match was a rearranged fixture from the opening round of La Liga, and gave Mourinho the opportunity to reconnect with the Real Madrid supporters at the stadium for the first time since his previous spell in charge.

Asked how it felt to be back on the Bernabeu touchline, Mourinho said: “This is much more beautiful, much more wonderful and exciting. But winning is wonderful and enjoyable. Before the game, to tell you the truth, after all these years I have become somewhat calmer. But yes, there is always that adrenaline before the game, but I was very calm.”

Real Madrid’s emphatic victory was driven by Kylian Mbappe, who scored a hat-trick as the hosts followed up their opening-day win against Espanyol.

Mourinho was reluctant to single out individuals but admitted Mbappe’s performance had been exceptional.

“There is something I do not like very much, but I have to do it. I do not really like talking about individuals because excellence belongs to the team as a whole, but what Kylian Mbappe did was crazy. Kylian has very high quality,” he said.

Mourinho was then asked about Jude Bellingham, but again stressed that Real Madrid’s performance had been a collective effort. He also referenced Vini Jr., Bernardo Silva and Federico Valverde while making the point that several players deserved recognition.

“I told you before that I do not like talking about individuals, but I have just done it, and now you are asking me again. If we talk about Jude, and about Vini, then we have to talk about Bernardo and Federico,” he replied.

He added: “The two centre-backs were very dominant. The team was good, but we cannot hide the fact that we have players of a very high level, who played, worked and were united. We have great players who made me enjoy myself, not only as a coach of course, but as a person who loves football. The things they did were top level.”

Real Madrid had started their season with a dramatic 2-1 victory away to Espanyol the previous Saturday. Their first home fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu ended in considerably more convincing fashion, with a three-goal margin against Real Sociedad.

The result gave Mourinho a successful return in front of the club’s supporters, while Mbappe’s three goals ensured the evening was marked by an individual performance that even the Real Madrid manager described as extraordinary. The victory also maintained the momentum created by the club’s opening away win as they continued their La Liga campaign.