Jose Mourinho was on the receiving end of an unusual gift at a press conference this week, when a journalist presented him with a sprinkler ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League fixture against Inter Milan. The gesture was a playful nod to one of the most memorable nights of Mourinho’s career, and it quickly drew attention online after footage of the exchange was shared on social media.
A Nod to Inter’s 2010 Triumph
The gift referenced Mourinho’s time at Inter, where he guided the club to Champions League glory during the 2009-10 season. After eliminating Barcelona in the semi-finals despite losing the second leg 1-0, Mourinho famously ran across the Camp Nou pitch with his arms raised as the stadium’s sprinklers switched on, soaking the celebrating Inter squad in a scene that has since become part of the competition’s folklore. Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri, who presented the ribbon-wrapped sprinkler, had admitted beforehand that surprising Mourinho with a gift would be no easy task, but he pressed ahead regardless. Mourinho appeared to find the gesture amusing and shook the reporter’s hand as he accepted it.
Mourinho’s Return to Madrid
The moment comes as Mourinho begins a second spell at Real Madrid, having rejoined the club this summer more than a decade after his first stint there ended. His return brings him face-to-face with Inter in Europe for the first time since he left the Italian side, adding extra significance to the reunion with the sprinkler. Speaking in 2019 about the tactics behind that 2010 semi-final win, Mourinho had explained that the entire defensive plan was built around restricting Lionel Messi, with several players sharing responsibility for marking him depending on his position on the pitch.