La Liga: Yamal a very good player, but I won’t sign him — Mourinho
August 20, 2026 9:52 am
Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal. Photo: Barcelona
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho has praised Lamine Yamal’s quality but ruled out the possibility of signing the Barcelona winger.
Asked about Yamal, Mourinho said the youngster is “a very good player” but made it clear that he would not pursue a move for him.
Fabrizio Romano quoted the Portuguese on X on Thursday as saying: “I won’t sign him. We already have the best players.”Yamal has established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world football, attracting widespread praise for his ability and performances despite his young age.
However, Mourinho’s comments underline his confidence in the players already available to him. For the Portuguese coach, there appears to be no need to look elsewhere when he believes his current squad already has the quality required to compete at the highest level.
Speaking about Diomande’s signing, Mourinho revealed that although he did not specifically request the signing of Yan Diomande, he was keen to have the young winger at his club.“No, I did not ask, but I wanted him. He’s a great player who can play on both sides,” he said.
Mourinho’s comments highlight his admiration for Diomande’s versatility and attacking qualities. The ability to operate on either flank makes the player an attractive option for a coach looking for flexibility in his attacking setup.
Madrid will play their opening league fixture away to Espanyol on Saturday, August 22, at the RCDE Stadium
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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