Mourinho celebrates in front of Real Madrid manager

If earlier than the sport the ambiance between Actual Madrid supervisor Alvaro Arbeloa and his former boss Jose Mourinho was considered one of utmost respect, it obtained misplaced a bit someplace within the emotion of the evening on Wednesday. The Portuguese did attempt to play down his celebrations afterwards although.

The Eagles scored a dramatic 97th minute objective via goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to safe development to the knockout part of the Champions League, sparking wild celebrations on the Estadio da Luz. Mourinho celebrated with an nearly trademark run down the touchline, gesturing to the group.

Mourinho celebrates in entrance of Arbeloa

Mourinho ended up proper in entrance of the Actual Madrid bench, and none aside from Arbeloa, as he celebrated. The 2 had spoken extremely of one another throughout their pre-match press conferences, but it surely will need to have been a bitter capsule to swallow for the latter.

How completely happy I’m for him. What an indication of soccer by Don José Mourinho

Arbeloa has no fucking concept the place the rain falls, a servant of the playerspic.twitter.com/YOU35keVb3

— Padronso (@TitoPadronso) January 28, 2026

Jose #Mourinho celebrated in Alvaro Arbeloa’s face final evening – earlier than apologising. His clarification under👇 #RealMadrid #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/hsk17KeKlC

— Soccer España (@footballespana_) January 29, 2026

Mourinho’s apology to Arbeloa

After the sport, Mourinho did then apologise to Arbeloa, as might be seen within the footage. Diario AS quoted his response.

“I celebrated. However alvaro is a soccer man and he understood that in that second, with the feelings, you overlook he’s on the bench, that it’s Actual Madrid, that Chendo is there, that your colleagues are there. You overlook every thing. And he advised me to not fear.”

Mourinho nonetheless believes Actual Madrid can win Champions League

The 2 could also be reunited within the play-off spherical, relying on how the draw performs out. Benfica will tackle considered one of Actual Madrid or Inter, whereas Los Blancos will return to the Estadio da Luz, or conflict with Bodo/Glimt. Mourinho wouldn’t be drawn on which of his former golf equipment he’d fairly face.

“I can’t say one or the opposite (smiles). I like going to Madrid and I like going to Milan. Seeing buddies is at all times a pleasure. Madrid and Inter are groups that may win the Champions League, and we, at most, can do one thing unimaginable like as we speak. Madrid and Inter are among the many high contenders. We aren’t, however we compete. We misplaced to Chelsea, however we competed. We misplaced to Juve, however we competed. We beat Madrid… It’s tougher in opposition to two than in opposition to one, however soccer is soccer.”