Quick Read
- José Mourinho’s Benfica plays Real Madrid in a Champions League knockout match on February 17, 2026.
- Benfica recently defeated Real Madrid 4-2 on January 28, 2026, Mourinho’s first-ever win against Madrid.
- Reports indicate a special clause in Mourinho’s Benfica contract allows him to leave without penalty within 10 days of the season’s end.
- Mourinho has publicly downplayed a return to Real Madrid, despite president Florentino Pérez’s reported high regard for him.
- Mourinho’s overall record against Real Madrid is 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses across six matches with Porto, Manchester United, and Benfica.
LISBON (Azat TV) – As José Mourinho’s Benfica faces his former club, Real Madrid, in a crucial Champions League knockout stage match tonight, February 17, 2026, intense speculation about his potential return to the Spanish giants has resurfaced. This renewed debate is fueled by reports of a special, easily breakable clause in his current contract with Benfica, coupled with the Portuguese club’s recent historic victory over Real Madrid.
The two-time European champions, Benfica, are hosting the 15-time European title holders in the first leg of their playoff tie for a spot in the Champions League last-16. This match follows a dramatic 4-2 win for Benfica over Real Madrid on January 28, 2026, in the league phase. That victory, capped by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s last-gasp goal, marked Mourinho’s first-ever win against Real Madrid in his nearly three-decade coaching career, significantly boosting his profile amid ongoing managerial discussions.
Benfica Contract Clause Fuels Real Madrid Speculation
The core of the current speculation revolves around a specific clause within Mourinho’s contract with Benfica, which he signed on September 18, 2025, during the club’s electoral campaign. Mourinho himself explained that this clause was designed to protect a hypothetical new president, though Rui Costa was ultimately re-elected. According to AS, the clause allows Mourinho to leave Benfica without any financial penalty if he departs within 10 days of the current season’s final match. This contractual flexibility has ignited discussions about his future, particularly as his Benfica tenure sees him challenging top European clubs.
Despite the widespread rumors, Mourinho has publicly played down the prospect of an immediate return to Real Madrid. Asked whether any manager could reject an approach from Madrid president Florentino Pérez, Mourinho stated, ‘Yes, you can.’ He emphasized his commitment to his current club, telling reporters, ‘I have another year on my contract with Benfica. It’s a special contract because it was signed in an electoral period… the only thing that exists is the contract with Benfica, and there is nothing with Real Madrid.’ He also expressed a desire to eliminate Real Madrid from the Champions League, despite maintaining a friendly relationship with Pérez.
Mourinho’s Record Against Real Madrid
Mourinho’s coaching record against Real Madrid spans six matches across three different clubs prior to his current Benfica stint. Overall, his teams have largely struggled against Los Blancos, with a record of one win, one draw, and four losses. His first encounters came during his breakout spell as FC Porto boss in the 2001/02 and 2002/03 Champions League campaigns, where Porto lost three of four matches but managed a draw at the Santiago Bernabéu. He next faced Madrid in August 2017, leading Manchester United to a 2-1 defeat in the UEFA Super Cup. The January 28, 2026, 4-2 win with Benfica was his maiden victory against the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid’s Managerial Landscape and Pérez’s View
The speculation surrounding Mourinho’s return is also influenced by the current managerial situation at Real Madrid. Reports from AS and OneFootball suggest that Mourinho is viewed as a ‘consensus option’ around Florentino Pérez to succeed current manager Álvaro Arbeloa, whose position has reportedly weakened since the defeat by Benfica. The Independent claims that Pérez has ‘never gone off’ Mourinho and still considers him ‘the best coach he’s had at the club,’ a sentiment reportedly shared by many club supporters. However, AS also claims that Mourinho is not being actively considered by the club’s hierarchy at present.
Mourinho’s previous three-season tenure at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 was marked by a record-breaking La Liga title but also by three consecutive Champions League semi-final exits and a reputation for fostering a ‘toxic’ environment. He conceded this week that his time was ‘difficult, intense and violent,’ admitting, ‘I did some things well and some things badly.’ Yet, the passage of time and his recent success against Madrid seem to have rekindled interest.
The Champions League clash tonight presents a dual opportunity for José Mourinho: to advance Benfica in European competition and, perhaps more significantly, to showcase his enduring tactical prowess on a grand stage, potentially influencing the ongoing, albeit publicly downplayed, discussions about his future with one of football’s most demanding clubs.