Mourinho Apologizes to Arbeloa After Emotional Celebration Against Real Madrid

Following Benfica’s dramatic 4–2 victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, head coach José Mourinho publicly apologized to Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid’s current manager, for the way he celebrated the winning goal in the final minutes of the match. Mourinho admitted he was carried away by the emotion of the moment and acknowledged that his reaction may have seemed excessive toward his friend and former player.

The Portuguese coach explained that while the celebration was intense, he never intended to disrespect Arbeloa or Real Madrid. He added that Madrid’s coach understood the emotional context of the moment. Mourinho defended his reaction by pointing out that football naturally provokes passionate responses, and that the euphoria of securing qualification overwhelmed him in that instant.

Mourinho was on the Benfica bench for a dramatic match in which goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored the decisive goal in the 98th minute, sealing Benfica’s qualification to the Champions League playoff stage against a historic opponent like Real Madrid.

Arbeloa, who played under Mourinho at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, accepted the apology with sportsmanship. He emphasized that he understands the passion generated by a match of such magnitude and made it clear that his personal relationship with his former coach remains strong despite the competitive rivalry.

José Mourinho and Álvaro Arbeloa share a bond that goes beyond football, forged during their years together at Real Madrid. On several occasions, Mourinho has praised Arbeloa not only as a reliable player but also as a person of strong character and human values, further explaining the mutual respect between them.

In the press conference prior to the match, Mourinho had already spoken highly of Arbeloa, calling him “one of my guys” and highlighting his character and career. He also noted that, within the context of competition, each coach must defend the interests of their own team.

The exchange between the two managers became one of the most talked-about moments of the Champions League matchday—not only because of the result, but also due to the mix of respect, shared history, and the emotional intensity that defines Europe’s top competition.