Jose Mourinho risks angering Barcelona fans with his latest comments about Nico WilliamsWilliams was a transfer target for Barca in the summer but ended up staying with Athletic Bilbao despite the club’s overturesHowever, the ‘Special One’, who now manages Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, urged the Euro 2024 winner not to join Barca
Jose Mourinho, now at the helm of Fenerbahçe, has stirred the pot with remarks that might not sit well with Barcelona’s faithful.
Ahead of his team’s UEFA Europa League fixture against Athletic Club on Thursday, Mourinho heaped praise on Nico Williams, sparking a debate about comparisons to Barcelona’s rising star, Lamine Yamal.
Jose Mourinho prayed Nico Williams considers a move to Barcelona’s bitterest rivals, Real Madrid, in the future. Photos by Ahmad Mora and DeFodi Images.
Source: UGC
Mourinho ‘angers’ Barcelona fans with Nico Williams comment
The “Special One” lauded Nico’s performances at the 2024 Euros, boldly stating his preference for the Athletic Club winger over Yamal despite the latter’s stellar accolades.
Yamal celebrated as the 2024 Golden Boy and Kopa Trophy recipient, has been widely regarded as the future of Spanish football, per UEFA.com.
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Yet Mourinho’s words hinted at a differing perspective.
“In the Euros, people were all saying Yamal, Yamal, Yamal,” Mourinho said. “He’s a wonderful boy, but I, personally, prefer more of Nico Williams.”
Mourinho tells Williams not to join Barcelona
Mourinho didn’t stop there. In a comment bound to irk fans of the Catalan club, he suggested that Nico Williams, linked with Barcelona during the summer transfer window, would be better suited for their eternal rivals.
“I hope he ends up at Real Madrid,” he told Cope, as quoted by Madrid Universal.
Whether Mourinho’s statements were meant to provoke or simply reflect his admiration for Nico remains uncertain.
However, they underscore his enduring connection to Real Madrid.
His three-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu is fondly remembered for shattering Barcelona’s dominance in La Liga and restoring the club’s reputation in Europe after years of underperformance in the Champions League.
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Athletic responds to Williams Barcelona rumours
In a related story, Henzodaily.ng reported that Athletic Bilbao has responded to rumours linking Nico Williams to Barcelona.
The 22-year-old forward caught Barcelona’s interest following his outstanding display at Euro 2024 for Spain as his chemistry with Lamine Yamal cost many teams problems.
Athletic are not prepared to let Nico leave and will be willing to hold on to the youngster for as long as possible.
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Source: YEN.com.gh