Mourinho on Asensio's Drink-Driving Incident: Everyone Makes Mistakes, but Repeated Mistakes Are Different

In this round of the league, Real Madrid will visit Real Betis, and head coach Mourinho expressed his dissatisfaction with Asensio's off-field behavior at the pre-match press conference.

We must perform excellently, otherwise we cannot win. Betis are a strong team, and their recent home record against Real Madrid... Winning there is very difficult, so we must produce our best level. There is no other way.

How do you view Messi announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team? Do you have any anecdotes about him to share?

Talking about Messi is difficult (laughs). Actually, there is not much to say; no words can describe his level as a player. He played in this World Cup at the age of 38 or 39, and his performances were clear for everyone to see. He is the kind of player you will always miss. To enjoy the final moments of him on the pitch, later we can only watch MLS matches, and I do not like that very much. I said at a previous press conference that some players are the kind you will always miss, and he is one of those players of our generation.

What role will academy players play under you?

Many of them have already trained with me, but even those who have not entered the first team are being closely monitored. Real Madrid's academy work in recent years has been excellent, and the number of academy players moving into the first team proves that, such as Thiago (Pitarch). Although Real Madrid received millions of euros in transfer fees, these were not transfers in the true sense, because if Real Madrid wanted, they could bring these players back at any time. As the season progresses, suspensions, injuries and other issues will appear, and they will have opportunities. I am getting to know them better and better. We keep in contact with Manu and La Fabrica every day. Although I will not promote everyone, they can dream of reaching the first team.

What do you think of Sergio Martinez? What are your plans for him?

He will be on the substitutes' list tomorrow, so you can probably see what my plan is. He has only trained with the first team for a few days, but the club signed him even though he knew he might not immediately enter the first team. We analyzed him and he is clearly a talented young player. He already has some appearances in the Segunda Division and La Liga. He has potential and must work hard. The intensity here is completely different from elsewhere, but he has already arrived. Tomorrow he, Rivas and Sestero will all be in the squad. We will see whether to let him play, but he has already taken the first step.

Have you encountered situations like Alvarez's before?

This kind of situation... Among the people I know, nobody understands it better than Simeone, so I do not think I have much to say. I usually say that even if a player is unhappy, by September 1 you must adjust your mentality; otherwise, do not step onto the pitch. My feeling is that from yesterday until at least the end of this season, he will remain an important player for his club.

What did you feel when you saw the news that Asensio was fined for drink-driving?

When I first arrived, I spoke with him about some things that happened before, but later I stopped mentioning them. I do not concern myself with what happens outside the training ground, because inside the training ground he is a true professional. When healthy, he trains harder and better than anyone. Now that he is injured, he is still the first to arrive and the last to leave, and he is very committed. But as a Real Madrid player, you represent Real Madrid's image 24 hours a day. What you do outside can damage your own and the club's reputation. I am not satisfied with this matter, but it is okay. We all make mistakes, but if mistakes are repeated, that is another matter.

Will you consider rotating the midfield to save energy for the Champions League?

We will talk about this after the match, but before that, please allow me to remain optimistic and happy. Our focus is on the match against Betis. Forget that matter.

What are Asensio's prospects under you?

The club has started an investigation into him. As a coach, before the investigation is complete, I still consider him a Real Madrid player, and that will remain the case in the coming weeks. The club's involvement prevents me from getting into a difficult situation. He is still a Real Madrid player.

What happened with Ceballos? Was leaving his decision or the club's decision?

We spoke on the phone for three minutes. I told him he was not in my plans. Although many players would hold onto their contracts, he understood his situation and said he preferred to become a free agent so he could decide his future.

What is your feeling about La Liga? Will a very high points total be needed to win the title? Is it still a Real Madrid-Barcelona title race this season?

I think Atletico Madrid will also enter the title race. Even if they have not publicly expressed their intention to compete for the title, they will believe they have that ability. Judging from their recruitment, they are very stable internally, they kept their coach, and their style of play and training methods have not changed. The strength brought by this stability is much greater than frequently changing coaches or styles. In my view, they are also strong contenders for the title.

Secondly, other teams in the Champions League positions, such as Betis and Real Sociedad, are also very strong. Tomorrow we will see how strong Betis are. In addition, teams from the Basque region are especially difficult opponents. I think La Liga is not easy. Here, you face constant pressure and must keep winning. In France or Germany, title contenders know they can always become champions, but it is not like that here. This pressure itself also comes with huge risks.

Is there anything you would like to say to Pellegrini? What memories do you have of those years in La Liga?

I never look back at old issues because we cannot return to the past. But I clearly said some things before and later felt like a fool, realizing I was wrong. Therefore, I will not criticize anything, but I did say some stupid things to him. If he heard them, he would definitely laugh. I have already repaid my 'debt' because the title he won with Manchester City was given to him by me. With two rounds remaining in the league, if Liverpool drew with Chelsea, the title would have gone to Liverpool. My debt has been repaid.

Later he did something very classy. In a Betis and Roma friendly match, because the referee favored Betis too much, we were reduced to only seven players on the pitch. He told his players: 'We should not take things too far, stop.' The score was probably 3-1 at the time, and they could have scored eight against us. He is a great coach and a model of character. I like him very much. Tomorrow I will hug him before and after the match and compete against him on the pitch.

Have you spoken with previous coaches about this team?

I have not spoken with Alonso. I have spoken with Alvaro (Arbeloa), but the information I obtained did not come from him. For a former coach, discussing your previous situation is not easy.

What is your impression of Modric?

We really wanted to sign him at the time, but negotiating with Levy (then Tottenham chairman) was almost impossible. However, during the US tour, we kept waiting for progress on his transfer. The negotiations kept going back and forth, sometimes it looked possible and sometimes it did not. Real Madrid almost gave up, but the player himself wanted to come because he could play as a No. 6, No. 8 or No. 10. He was the ideal candidate. During those months you (the media) criticized me heavily (laughs), but later he silenced everyone with his performances.