José Mourinho has been presented with a garden sprinkler ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Inter Milan, because conventional memorabilia no longer adequately covers his managerial career.
Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri approached Mourinho as he left Monday’s pre-match press conference at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground.
The Portuguese manager initially appeared uncertain about the piece of gardening equipment being offered to him before recognising the reference. He smiled, accepted the gift and shook hands with Palmeri.
It commemorated Inter’s Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona in 2010, one of the most celebrated performances of Mourinho’s career.
Inter travelled to the Camp Nou with a 3-1 advantage from the first leg but were reduced to 10 men when Thiago Motta was sent off after 28 minutes. Mourinho’s side spent much of the remaining match defending around their own penalty area and eventually lost 1-0, progressing 3-2 on aggregate.
Mourinho ran onto the pitch at full-time with one finger raised as Inter celebrated reaching the final. Barcelona goalkeeper Víctor Valdés attempted to interrupt him before the Camp Nou sprinklers were switched on around the visiting players.
The celebrations continued while Mourinho and his squad were watered.
Inter subsequently defeated Bayern Munich at the Santiago Bernabéu to complete a historic treble. Sixteen years later, Mourinho is managing Real Madrid and preparing to face the club with which he produced the most successful season of his career.
He acknowledged his enduring affection for Inter and their manager Cristian Chivu, who played under him during the treble-winning campaign. He also made clear that those feelings would be suspended once Tuesday’s match began.
The sprinkler therefore managed to represent Barcelona’s elimination, Inter’s greatest European season, Mourinho’s fondness for his former club and his continuing ability to become the central figure in events involving neither team he currently manages.
Football usually marks famous anniversaries with commemorative shirts, plaques or framed photographs.
Mourinho’s career occasionally requires a trip to the garden centre.
