×
App Icon
The Standard e-Paper
Join Thousands of Readers
★★★★ - on Play Store
Download Now

Benfica's Mourinho plays down Real Madrid return rumour before rematch

Vocalize Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Vocalize

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior laughs during a training session on the eve of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match against Benfica at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, on February 16, 2026. [AFP]

Benfica coach Jose Mourinho insisted he is capable of saying no to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez as he played down rumours of a return to the Spanish giants on Monday.

Mourinho's Benfica host Real Madrid in a Champions League play-off round clash on Tuesday, before the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu next week.

Premium Article

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Fact-first reporting that puts you at the heart of the newsroom. Subscribe for full access.
Continue Reading  →
What you get
  • Unlimited access to all premium content
  • Ad-free browsing experience
  • Mobile-optimised reading
  • Weekly newsletters & digests
Pay via
M - PESA
VISA
Airtel Money
Secure Payments Kenya's most trusted newsroom since 1902
By AFP 1 hr ago
Football
Iran begin fraught World Cup with 2-2 New Zealand draw
Sports
7s star Wekesa's journey in rugby and his mission for green planet
By AFP 2 hrs ago
Football
Uruguay frustrated by dogged Saudi Arabia in World Cup draw
By AFP 3 hrs ago
Football
Belgium fight back to draw with Egypt in World Cup group game