No. That was the answer when José Mourinho was asked on El Chiringuito whether he would sign Lamine Yamal for Real Madrid.
The praise came right after, layered on thick. But the flat refusal came first.
“No, no. Lamine Yamal is a great player, no doubt. A young player with incredible potential,” Mourinho said, as transcribed by Managing Madrid. “It’s not normal to be a European champion, a world champion, at such a young age, 19 or 20… but we have a top squad. I wouldn’t make room for anyone right now. Right now, it’s my players, and my players are the best.”
Mourinho was speaking on the Spanish late-night football show in an appearance widely reported on 20 August, in the run-up to Real Madrid’s LaLiga opener.
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The signal to his own players
Yamal, 19, is the reigning European champion. Since 19 July he has been a world champion too, after Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in extra time in the final, with Ferran Torres scoring the only goal. He is a genuine Ballon d’Or contender.
Refusing to open a spot in his dressing room for that player is a message pointed less at Barcelona than at the Real Madrid squad Mourinho inherited when he was appointed on 11 June, on a three-year deal.
Mourinho on Flick and Deco
Yamal was not the only Barcelona subject on the table. On the same broadcast Mourinho spoke warmly about the identity Hansi Flick has given the Blaugrana and the busy summer transfer window run by sporting director Deco.
The Portuguese also went through the Negreira case, his relationship with Florentino Pérez, and the signings of Yan Diomande and Bernardo Silva, according to Managing Madrid.
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Three league games in eight days
Real Madrid open the 2026-27 LaLiga season away at Espanyol on Saturday, 22 August. Kick-off at the RCDE Stadium is at 9:30pm local time, in the first of three fixtures Mourinho’s side will play in the opening eight days, as the club has confirmed.
Publicly weighing in on the opposition’s best 19-year-old, before he has even taken charge of a competitive league match, is a Mourinho staple.
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