Mourinho does not usually hand out praise. That’s why, when he was asked whether Mbappé resembles Cristiano Ronaldo, his response caught everyone’s attention.
“I don’t like comparing, but this guy is incredible”, said the Portuguese in the press conference after watching Mbappé score a hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad at Santiago Bernabéu. The Frenchman leads the Merengue attack with a hunger that, according to Mourinho himself, is on course to write history at the club.
What is curious is that this statement came precisely in the match in which Mourinho returned to Bernabéu after 13 years, now having become Real Sociedad’s manager. Watching Mbappé play like that from the other side ultimately drew the compliment out of one of the most demanding coaches in world football. With this victory, Real Madrid moved into provisional first place in LaLiga.