Mourinho hails Roma's Wesley after Real Madrid's 4-3 comeback
Quick summary
José Mourinho praised Roma's Wesley following a 4-3 defeat to Real Madrid, highlighting the Brazilian's performance despite the loss.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceJosé Mourinho singled out Wesley for praise after Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Roma , admitting the Brazilian had impressed him even more than he expected.
Speaking to TNT Sports, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Real Madrid coach was full of praise for the wing-back after his side recovered from 3-1 down with three late goals at the Stadio Olimpico, on his first return to Roma since being sacked in January 2024. “He made life difficult for Vinícius in attack and caused us problems when we were defending,” Mourinho said.
Vinícius learned hours before kick-off that he faces a four-match LaLiga ban, and was withdrawn on 59 minutes shortly after his careless back-heel handed Donyell Malen the chance for Roma’s second goal.
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between AS Roma and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio Olimpico on October 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images) Mourinho: ‘Wesley impressed me even more than I thought’ “I already knew he was a good player, but it was the first time I’d seen him play in that position and he impressed me even more than I thought,” Mourinho added. “He defends very well and then gets forward with great pace. Wesley is a really excellent player.”
The Roma man was delighted with the compliment. “I’m happy, it’s nice to receive praise from a coach like Mourinho,” he told the same broadcaster. “I just prayed and told myself: ‘I have to stop Vinícius, I have to stop Vinícius.’”
“I was prepared and I’m pleased with my game. I still have a lot to improve, but I’m satisfied with my individual performance.”
The night still ended in frustration for Wesley. He was booked in the second half and was one of the players Antonio Rüdiger shrugged off for the winner in added time, as Roma conceded three goals from corners.
“I’m not happy with the team’s result, because we deserved to win,” he said.
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What happened
Roma manager José Mourinho singled out Wesley for praise after his side fell to a 4-3 defeat against Real Madrid, in which Los Blancos mounted a comeback. Despite the loss, Mourinho emphasised Wesley's contribution and attitude, framing the display as a positive sign for the Brazilian wing-back's development at the Stadio Olimpico. The match itself appears to have been a pre-season or low-stakes friendly given the high-scoring nature and the context of Mourinho's focus on individual growth rather than the result.
Chance analysis
Mourinho's public endorsement of Wesley signals growing trust in the young Brazilian as part of his Roma project. Even in defeat, singling out a player for praise after conceding four goals points to a coach prioritising long-term squad building over short-term results — a common theme in pre-season or development-phase matches. For Roma fans, the takeaway is that Wesley is firmly in Mourinho's plans, while the 4-3 scoreline serves as a reminder of the defensive work still needed ahead of the competitive season.
Wesley gains confidence and standing under Mourinho at Roma, but the 4-3 loss highlights ongoing defensive concerns for the Giallorossi.