Mourinho backs Real Madrid’s current squad and dismisses Lamine Yamal transfer idea

Jose Mourinho has ruled out signing Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, insisting Real Madrid already have a “top-level” squad as he begins his return to the club with the task of restoring their success.

The Portuguese manager was speaking in an exclusive interview with Spanish programme El Chiringuito as the new Spanish football season officially gets under way.

Barcelona, the defending champions, enter the campaign with considerable confidence, while Real Madrid begin a new era marked by major changes and Mourinho’s return to the dugout.

Mourinho, who is back in charge of Real Madrid, used the interview to praise Barcelona’s sporting project under head coach Hansi Flick and sporting director Deco. The former Porto midfielder was coached by Mourinho during their time together at the Portuguese club.

“I liked that, it is an excellent job done between Hansi Flick and Deco, and of course the players, I liked it very much,” Mourinho said.

His comments about Barcelona’s work came before he was asked whether he would consider bringing Yamal, the club’s teenage star, to Real Madrid.

The answer was emphatic. Mourinho rejected the possibility of signing the forward and instead expressed complete confidence in the group of players currently at his disposal.

“I don’t want him. He is undoubtedly a young player with enormous potential. It is not usual to be a European and world champion at the age of 19, but we have a top-level team. I will not make room for any other player at the moment… Now they are my players, and they are the best,” he said.

Yamal has emerged as one of Barcelona’s most prominent players and is described in the report as a European and world champion. Mourinho’s response made clear that, despite his admiration for the teenager’s ability, he has no intention of disrupting his current Real Madrid squad to pursue him.

The comments were presented as both a message of reassurance to the Real Madrid dressing room and a show of respect towards their traditional rivals at the beginning of a season expected to be intense from its opening rounds.

Mourinho initially appeared calm during the interview, but his direct and uncompromising tone soon returned as he discussed the two major Spanish clubs. His praise for Barcelona was notable given his position at Real Madrid, while his refusal to entertain a move for Yamal underlined his belief in the players already working under him.

El Chiringuito shared a post describing the response as a worldwide exclusive and featuring the line: “MOURINHO WOULD NOT SIGN LAMINE YAMAL: ‘He is a great player, but we have a top squad.’ Brutal response.”

The story has also been made available for wider discussion through the Kooora forums.