Jose Mourinho has taken some credit for Spain's win over England in the Euro 2024 final, but admits he never understood the true potential of one of their key players.
Spain lifted a record-breaking fourth European Championship title on Sunday after Mikel Oyarzabal's 86th-minute goal secured a well-deserved victory in Berlin.
La Roja would then take home further accolades, with Rodri being named as the best player of Euro 2024 after guiding his country to glory.
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Lamine Yamal, 17, also scooped the best young player, while Manchester City transfer target Dani Olmo shared the Golden Boot award with five other players after finishing the tournament on three goals.
After the full-time whistle, Jose Mourinho singled out praise for three of his former Real Madrid players – Nacho Fernandez, Alvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal.
He wrote on Instagram: "2024/ Champions League winner captain Nacho Fernandez/European Champion winner captain Alvaro Morata. Many congratulations to them and to the coach who gave them their debut when they were just kids in the academy.
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He then added: "Same coach who did not understand that Dani Carvajal was another one! Many congratulations to Mister De La Fuente for an amazing job. Best team won!"
As mentioned above, both Morata and Nacho were handed their debuts by Mourinho during his stint as Real Madrid manager.
Morata made his bow in December 2010, when he came on as a late substitute in their 3–1 win over Real Zaragoza, and a few months later, future captain Nacho was handed a first start in a 6–3 away win against Valencia.
Carvajal was also on the books of Los Blancos during Mourinho's reign but the full-back never made a first-team appearance under 'The Special One', instead playing for Real Madrid B before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.
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A year after leaving, Madrid exercised their buy-back option on Carvajal and the rest is history.
Carvajal has since lifted six Champions League trophies with his boyhood club, as well as four La Liga titles.
Earlier this year, Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon hailed the 32-year-old as "the best right-back in the world" after another impressive campaign for club and country.
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“I don’t know if I should call him the Ballon d’Or, but what is clear to me is that he is the best right-back in the world. He’s showing it at Real Madrid, in the national team, what he transmits in the dressing room,” said Simon.
“He wants to win everything, even in the basketball games we play before training. I don’t know if he will win the Ballon d’Or, but he is the best in his position.”
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, Spain, England, Euro 2024
Jack Kenmare