José Mourinho admitted he'll miss watching Lionel Messi after the Argentina star announced his international retirement this week. Messi, 39, confirmed his retirement on Monday, after captaining his country to the World Cup final this summer, having previously won the tournament in 2022.

Mourinho, now back at Real Madrid for his second spell, faced Messi's Barcelona for three seasons in La Liga between 2010 and 2013 in a ferocious El Clásico rivalry. "There are no words to describe his quality as a player," Mourinho said. "With what he did at the World Cup, at 39 years old ... He's a player we'll miss. We'll have to watch some MLS games to enjoy his last years."

Mourinho also addressed defender Raúl Asencio, convicted of drink driving and facing trial over alleged distribution of sexually explicit videos of a minor. "I spoke to him when I arrived, about things in the past," Mourinho said. "At Valdebebas, I'd say he's an exemplary professional. But a Real Madrid player is a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months a year. What you do outside your profession is still Real Madrid, and it hurts Real Madrid's prestige."

Mourinho also expressed regret over past comments about Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini, saying, "I had some words, some comments, that were very stupid, and I'm not proud of ... He's a great coach for me, an example as a coach, and a person."