Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has lashed out at Porto assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez after claiming the Argentine called him a traitor “50 times” towards the end of the sides’ 2-2 draw in the Primera Liga on Sunday.
Benfica sealed a comeback from 2-0 down when substitute Leandro Barreiro scored the equaliser in the 88th minute, and that late goal sparked chaos at the Estadio da Luz, with Mourinho shown a red card after apparent clashes with members of the Porto coaching staff.
Gonzalez – an assistant coach with Porto and a former Argentina midfielder – was also sent off, with Mourinho confirming that the duo had a disagreement in which the 45-year-old “called me a traitor 50 times”.
“I’d like him to explain to me, a traitor to what?” fumed Mourinho.
“I went to Porto, I gave my soul to Porto, I went to Chelsea, I went to Inter, to Real Madrid, I travelled around the world and gave 24 hours of my life every day, gave my life, my soul. That’s what professionalism is about.
“Insults from the fans are one thing. But a fellow professional calling me a traitor, why? A traitor to what? Giving everything to Benfica? A traitor to what? I didn’t like it.”
When asked why he was sent off in the first place, the Portuguese gave a typically insincere reply, explaining: “The referee said he sent me off because I kicked a ball towards the Porto bench, which is completely false.
"Many times, after goals, I have kicked the ball into the stands to give it to a lucky fan and celebrate. I know I’m not very good technically, but it was meant for the stands."
While he started his managerial journey with Benfica in 2000, Mourinho enjoyed one of the most notable spells of his career with Porto, famously winning the 2003/04 Champions League with the club. He was appointed Benfica manager once again in September 2025.
The draw in Lisbon means that his side are currently third in the Primera Liga, three points behind city rivals Sporting CP and seven behind leaders Porto with just nine games left to play.
