Jose Mourinho Hails Celtic’s Seville Spirit 22 Years On

Jose Mourinho has paid tribute to Celtic, 22 years on from the UEFA Cup Final clash in Seville. Mourinho highlighted the lasting impact of the game and his respect for Celtic after that night.

Mourinho led Porto to a 3-2 extra-time win over Celtic in the 2003 final, but it’s clear the memory still stirs strong emotions. The former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss has long spoken of his admiration for Scottish football. He grew up watching Scotland at World Cups and remembers players from that era. 

But it was the Seville final that truly left its mark on him — something that no other team has been able to replicate against Mourinho since.

He said: (RecordSport), “Even around 30 years later I still feel that connection because it was an important part of my formation.

“When I remember Scotland growing up, I remember the Scotland I loved as a fan.

“I was following World Cups and I remember that generations of the likes of Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen.

“Then later on, I played Celtic in the UEFA Cup Final and that was the match that put my heart-rate at the highest it had ever been because of the intensity, the spirit, the determination of that team.

“So hard, so difficult to play against. I think it’s part of the Scottish culture.”

Celtic fans still remember the Seville run with pride, even if the final didn’t bring the trophy home. Mourinho’s comments are a reminder of how highly regarded that Celtic side was across Europe.

For Mourinho, that night wasn’t just about a trophy — it was a test of character against a team that never stopped. More than two decades on, the respect clearly remains, and so does the connection to a night in Celtic’s history.

Mourinho may have employed the dark arts that night, however, even he knows how lucky his Porto side were to emerge victorious. With Henrik Larsson at his brilliant best and an unbelievable Celtic team who competed with the best in Europe, it was a final that sadly didn’t go Celtic’s way.