Mourinho: El Clásico isn't what it used to be—like tennis' Big Three era is over

In an interview with Vanity Fair, newly appointed Real Madrid coach José Mourinho discussed his second stint at the club, comparing today's El Clásico to the iconic clashes during his first tenure at Real Madrid.

When asked about the Messi and Ronaldo era, Mourinho reflected on how the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona matches of that period had an impact that's difficult to replicate today, drawing a parallel to tennis' "Big Three" era.

Mourinho said: "I really enjoyed those games. I wasn't watching from the sidelines—I was participating in them, and I relished it. But even after all these years, people still stop me on the street and say: 'The whole world would stop for those games.' And that's simply no longer the case."

He continued: "The way people watch El Clásico today is fundamentally different from back then. The entire world would come to a standstill for these matches. It wasn't just a battle between Madrid and Barcelona, or even confined to Spain—it captivated the entire globe. Everyone was anticipating these fixtures. Of course, Ronaldo and Messi were icons of their generation, the two best players in the world at that time."

Reflecting on that era, Mourinho said: "Honestly, it was extraordinary. I think it's similar to Nadal versus Federer, or Nadal versus Djokovic. While there are many talented young players in tennis today, like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, those who love the sport still miss that special era. El Clásico had that same magnetic appeal—it possessed a unique charm that we don't see anymore."

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