# Mourinho calls Madrid-Barça comparison unfair

> Mourinho says Madrid's early stage makes Barça comparison unfair.
- Title: Mourinho calls Madrid-Barça comparison unfair · the Guardian
- Summary: Mourinho says Madrid's early stage makes Barça comparison unfair. Mourinho claims Madrid is in early development phase, not ready for Barça comparison.
- Keywords: jose mourinho, real madrid, barcelona, manchester city, aston villa, premier league, lamine yamal, sports, Mourinho, calls, Madrid-Barça, comparison
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/live/2026/oct/24/aston-villa-v-manchester-city-buildup-premier-league-news-wsl-and-more-matchday-live
- Published: 2026-10-24T11:00:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jose mourinho, real madrid, barcelona, manchester city, aston villa, premier league, lamine yamal, sports
## Mourinho on Madrid's stage
Mourinho says Madrid is in early development phase, not ready for Barça comparison.

> People look at us like a finished product, but finished products in football are difficult because they are never finished
## Mourinho on Lamine Yamal
Mourinho respects Yamal's talent but says team won't change plans for great players.

> He’s a great player and great players you respect
## Mourinho on team progress
Mourinho notes Madrid has been working for three months with players returning from World Cup.

> We’ve been working for three months, out of that you can take pre-season when the players were arriving [back from the World Cup]
## Key takeaway

Mourinho claims Madrid is in early development phase, not ready for Barça comparison.