Jose Mourinho has insisted that Real Madrid are the best club in the world, placing them above eternal LaLiga rivals Barcelona. The 63-year-old Portuguese manager is set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer for a second stint, following an official announcement by the club's board of directors appointing him on a three-year contract through June 2029.
Mourinho's Verdict on Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Mourinho ranked Madrid above Barcelona, stating: "Real Madrid is the best club in the world. Barcelona is one of the best after Real Madrid." He further doubled down when analyzing the playing style and history of the two clubs. "Barcelona is seen as the team that plays amazing style, the team that scores a lot of goals. But this is a big contradiction. The team that scored the most goals in the history of Spanish football was my Real Madrid team in 2011/12, with 121 goals and 100 points in one season," Mourinho said.
Mourinho's Return to Real Madrid
Mourinho's return comes at a time when Los Blancos are looking to reconstruct their dominance after failing to win a major trophy over the last two seasons. Despite the recent lack of silverware on the pitch, the club's global stature remains unmatched. Forbes recently ranked Real Madrid as the world's most valuable football club at $9.5 billion, ahead of Barcelona at $7.5 billion.
Preseason Preparations
Preseason preparations under Mourinho are scheduled to formally commence on July 13, immediately following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement was made by Linda Ikeji on June 24, 2026.
