José Mourinho humorously responded to Spain's European Championship victory. In a post on Instagram, he highlighted his own role.
![Mourinho sees his own role in Spain's European Championship success](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2155859718/pt/foto/istanbul-turkeyfenerbahçes-new-coach-jose-mourinho-answered-questions-at-the-press-conference.jpg?s=2048x2048&w=gi&k=20&c=h45qXr0qekVlw-sHWfh3W6kFwOgf2cPHcB5Cc_yY7Fo=)
"Nacho Fernández, captain and Champions League winner, Álvaro Morata, captain and European Championship winner," begins The Special One.
Mourinho was the coach of Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013. "Congratulations to them and to the coach who made them debut when they were just kids in the youth academy," said the Portuguese coach, who added several laughing emojis to the sentence. Morata debuted on December 12, 2010, for Real, and Nacho on April 23, 2011.
However, Mourinho also expressed some self-criticism. "That same coach did not see that he should have made Dani Carvajal debut as well." Carvajal only debuted in 2013, under Carlo Ancelotti. Despite the slight criticism, it was clear that Mourinho took pride in the players' achievements and their progression from youth prospects to senior team leaders.
In his post, Mourinho emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent and how early opportunities can pave the way for future successes. His reflections not only celebrated the victories of Nacho and Morata but also served as a reminder of the significant role youth development plays in the broader landscape of football.
The new coach of Fenerbahçe concluded his message with heartfelt congratulations to the Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente, who guided Spain to their European Championship victory. "The best team won," stated Mourinho, acknowledging the skill and strategy employed by de la Fuente and his squad.
Morata appreciated the message from his former coach. "Thank you," he wrote in the comments, showing his gratitude and respect for Mourinho's influence on his career. This exchange highlighted the lasting impact a coach can have on his players, even years after they have parted ways.
Mourinho's Instagram post not only celebrated the Spanish team's success but also highlighted the interconnectedness of the football world, where past and present achievements of players and coaches continue to inspire and resonate.