Rafa Benitez has opened up about his long-standing rivalry with Jose Mourinho, admitting to “part excitement” over the Portuguese coach’s dramatic return to Benfica. The pair’s fierce battles in England defined an era, and with Mourinho now back in Portugal and set for a Champions League clash with Chelsea, old tensions could be reignited.
Rafa Benitez and Jose Mourinho remain two of the most iconic managers of their generation, forever linked by their intense rivalry in the mid-2000s. When Benitez arrived at Liverpool in 2004, just two weeks after Mourinho walked into Chelsea, English football witnessed a clash of egos, ideas, and unrelenting competition that stretched across three seasons.
From “ghost goals” to penalty shootouts, Liverpool versus Chelsea became a defining fixture of European football. Central to the drama were Benitez and Mourinho, trading tactical blows on the pitch and barbs off it. The pair met 15 times in just three years, leaving behind some of the most memorable nights in Champions League history.
Mourinho Returns to Benfica
Fast forward to 2025, and Mourinho, now 62, has returned to the club where his managerial journey truly began. His comeback follows a difficult stint at Fenerbahce, cut short by a painful Champions League exit — ironically against Benfica. Now tasked with leading the Portuguese giants until at least 2027, the Special One faces sky-high expectations to deliver both trophies and authority.
Benitez Still Feels the Edge
Speaking to The Telegraph, Benitez admitted there’s still a spark when Mourinho’s name comes up:
We’ve met a few times with Uefa meetings and it is OK, but nothing like that. We’ve never spoken about those games.
While the animosity has softened with time, the Spaniard suggested the rivalry never truly disappeared.
A Familiar Fire in Mourinho
Mourinho’s return has reignited debate about whether he can still thrive at the highest level. At 62, his competitive fire remains unquenched. He is still desperate to prove himself, still hungry for silverware, and still eager to silence critics who claim the modern game has outgrown him.
Chelsea Reunion Looms
Mourinho’s Benfica debut comes against AVS this weekend, but all eyes are already on September 30, when he takes his new side to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League clash against Chelsea. For the fans who still chant his name in West London, and for rivals like Benitez who know his edge better than anyone, that match could define the early chapter of Mourinho’s Benfica reign.
