Tottenham coach Jose Mourinho could not help himself when the question arose.
It made headlines when Lionel Messi made it clear he wanted to leave Barcelona. The Argentine was immediately connected to Manchester City who were supposed to be very interested in securing the star player.
However, no transfer took place as Barcelona made it clear that Messi would only be allowed to leave the club if the buyout clause of 700 million euros was triggered.
Mourinho has, of course, brought with him the writings about Messi.
This week he was in an interview with the English website Joe asked if Tottenham could consider signing Messi. Then the Tottenham coach responded with a clear sting aimed at those who tried to get the Argentine.
– We respect Financial Fair Play in Tottenham. He can only sign for a club that does not respect Financial Fair Play. Therefore, he is clearly excluded for Tottenham, says Mourinho.
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Criticized CAS decision
The Portuguese was very critical earlier this summer when Manchester City escaped exclusion from the Champions League for just breaking the Financial Fair Play rules.
UEFA had initially banned the Premier League club, but City won through with their appeal in the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS). City, however, was sentenced to pay a fine of 30 million euros.
– If Manchester City are not guilty, punishing them with a few million is a shame. If you are guilty, you should be banned. In that sense, it is a shameful decision. In all cases, the ruling is a disaster, Mourinho said.
– I’m not saying Manchester City is guilty. I’m just saying that if you are not guilty then you do not pay the fine. Then you will not be punished with a single pound. I know that money is easy for them, but it’s a matter of principle. Why pay millions if you are innocent, said the Tottenham coach.
The Portuguese also expressed that he has lost faith in UEFA’s financial rules after the verdict.
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In TV documentaries
However, the verdict is clear that City will be seen in the Champions League next season. They will also be seen in the Premier League which starts next Saturday 12 September.
City will admittedly not be in action until September 21 away against Wolverhampton, but Tottenham will play next weekend against Everton.
Mourinho’s Tottenham team experienced a disappointing season last year, which has been well documented in the new TV series All or Nothing on the streaming service Amazon Prime.
The series provides an insight into what went on last season at Tottenham Hotspur.
Mourinho says in the interview with Joe that he has seen the whole series, but that he prefers to work without the TV cameras on him all day. Still, he thinks fans will appreciate the series.
– Nothing has been done. I think we forgot very quickly that the cameras were everywhere. We lived with the ups and downs that the club had during the season. That’s why I think it’s very real.
– I prefer privacy. Of course, I prefer that our home is closed to people who do not belong there, but for people who like football and sports, I think it is very exciting because we give an insight into what life is like in a football club, says Mourinho.
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