Mourinho, the heart of a legend: Winning the Champions League makes you immortal, here's how I motivated Eto'o

In a candid and touching account for the BBC, during a special dedicated to the Champions League, José Mourinho has shared some of the strongest memories of his career, those that forever link him to this magical competition.

A two-time Champions League winner, with Porto in 2004 and with Inter in 2010, the Portuguese coach speaks not only about the trophies, but about the people behind them. And about the invisible battles, those that take place not on the pitch, but in the heart of a player.

One of the moments he remembers with the most emotion is the one with Samuel Eto'o during the 'Triplet' year at Inter.

"I've had hundreds of players in my career," Mourinho says, "but I've always treated them individually. Eto'o was an extraordinary example of mental strength.

"In that quarter-final against Chelsea, he scored the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge and had an extraordinary game."

But what happened before that game is a story in itself. "Every day during the week I confronted him. I told him: 'You're not going to play. You're not at your best.'

I don’t trust you.’ He was begging me: ‘Please, mister, let me play.’ But it was part of a psychological game. I knew he would react the way he did. It was a silent struggle that led to a magnificent explosion on the pitch.”

Mourinho, with words that weigh as much as a career, ends his story with a deep sense of pride: "I am a two-time Champions League winner.

"Everyone knows. In 2004 and 2010. Who was the coach? Mourinho. Nobody can forget that. Winning the Champions League makes you immortal. You will always be a legend for that club."

And in fact, they are the ones who write history, not only with victory, but with the emotion they know how to arouse in others.

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