One Word, Big Buzz: Rui Costa Decides Mourinho's Fate at Benfica
17 February 2026
Rui Costa Breaks Silence on Mourinho
Benfica president Rui Costa has reportedly decided the fate of his Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho amid swirling links to a return to Real Madrid for next season.
Real Madrid currently has Alvaro Arbeloa in charge on an interim basis until the season ends, replacing the dismissed Xabi Alonso.
Several outlets have suggested Mourinho remains among the candidates to lead Real Madrid next season.
Costa added a blunt line ahead of the Madrid-Benfica clash: He will stay.
Mourinho still has 18 months left on his Benfica contract, though a clause could let him leave at season’s end, and the Portuguese club could terminate the deal in June.
Interim Real Madrid Coach, Benfica's Backers
The first leg of the Champions League playoff is at the Luz tonight, with the return leg set for next week at Santiago Bernabéu to determine the last-16 qualifiers.
Madrid advanced to the playoff after finishing ninth in the group stage with 15 points, while Benfica reached the same stage in fourth place with nine points.
Stakes, History, and the Drama Ahead
The teams met in the final round of the group stage, and Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat at Luz.
The second leg will follow next week at Bernabéu to decide who advances.
Fans will be watching closely as the Mourinho saga unfolds alongside a high-stakes Champions League clash.
Punchline 1: If football were a dating app, Mourinho's saga would have him swiping right on staying at Benfica.
Punchline 2: The only thing certain here is the drama—more twists than a stoppage-time comeback.
