Mourinho warns City over corruption, cites Barcelona's Negreira case
In a quiet Madrid café on Thursday, José Mourinho sat down with Il Corriere dello Sport, his voice steady as he addressed the swirling allegations surrounding Manchester City and, in the same breath, the long‑running Barcelona Negreira controversy.
The interview was conducted by journalist Mario Calderón, whose byline reads "Mourinho Mario Calderón Periodista - Madrid". Como se suele decir, Mourinho does not offer "puntadas sin hilo"; he prefers statements backed by evidence.
City case under scrutiny
Mourinho described the "Caso City'" as a "corruption case that has haunted the Premier League club for weeks" and warned that the English side must brace for the legal fallout. He added that the investigation could reshape the club’s future if the definitive verdict arrives.
"I prefer to laugh a little, because I think we will have an ending. But we, who are in our sixties, must be lucky enough to stay here when the final sentence comes, because a ruling will arrive now and then an appeal," he said, underscoring his personal stake in the outcome.
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Negreira memories in Madrid
Turning to Spain, Mourinho recalled being in Madrid during the "Caso Negreira'" that implicated Barcelona, noting that the scandal was a "big moment we lived through here". He affirmed that the episode remains fresh in the public mind and that the legal process is still unfolding.
He also reflected on his own move to Real Madrid, saying the noise around his signing began while he was still at Benfica, where he had a three‑year contract in mind. Mourinho stressed that his contact with Florentino Pérez never faded and that he still visits Valdebebas regularly.
Speaking about Carlo Ancelotti, Mourinho laughed: "Carlo is great. He wanted to talk to Vinícius, check on Rodrygo, see how Militao is developing. Endrick was injured then and he asked for permission for me to come here. But you’re sick, Carlo! I’m fed up with you, because every day I walk the corridor: photos of Carlo here, photos of Carlo there."
UEFA's dossier threatens Barcelona with a Champions ban over Negreira
At sixty‑plus years old, Mourinho acknowledges the precariousness of his position, yet remains confident that the legal battles surrounding both City and Barcelona will reach a conclusion, shaping the governance of European football for years to come.