Featured Image Credit: Rio Ferdinand / YouTube
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Lionel Messi
Josh Lawless
Jose Mourinho did not hesitate when naming the one player he wishes he he signed.
Mourinho is one of the best managers in history and has 26 major trophies to his name in four different countries.
He has coached some of the very best in the business during spells at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
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But there is one player who the two-time Champions League winner wishes he snapped up.
Mourinho was asked the key question by Rio Ferdinand during a segment for TNT Sports ahead of the Champions League final between Real and Borussia Dortmund.
And though he coached Cristiano Ronaldo, Mourinho picked eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who he called "the little guy" and "not coachable".
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"Of course I would say the little guy," Mourinho said.
"But the little guy was not coachable. But I have to say that in our generation, he was the best player."
While at Barcelona, Messi tormented Mourinho on many occasion during the peak of the El Clasico rivalry.
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He did have a number of digs at him over the years, claiming that he was "protected" and had "less defensive work" during the glory years at Barcelona.
But Mourinho's answer speaks volumes to how highly he rates the Argentine, who he has even hailed as 'the God of football'.
He has, however, named two other players who he regrets not working with.
Years before he managed Roma, Mourinho wanted to bring Giallorossi legends Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti to Inter but "it wasn't possible".
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“I would have liked De Rossi at Inter and Real Madrid, but it wasn’t possible," Mourinho admitted, speaking to YouTuber Ohm.
"I would have liked Totti at Inter even at a very high age but it wasn’t possible. There are always players you would like to coach but cannot.”