In a move that has ignited controversy across European football, Real Madrid’s presidential campaign has doubled down on a video appearing to show Jose Mourinho confirming his return to the club. A spokesperson for incumbent president Florentino Perez, Jesus Bengoechea, told Reuters Thursday the clip is “authentic and was recorded.”
The video, which features a smiling Mourinho wearing a Real Madrid shirt and saying “Yes!”, was posted on social media by Perez’s office and aired on Spanish prime-time television Wednesday.
However, media outlets in Portugal-where Mourinho currently manages Benfica-have raised serious questions about the footage, suggesting it may be AI-generated. Reuters retracted its initial coverage after its own Visual Verification Team could not confirm the video's authenticity using five separate AI detection tools, which produced inconclusive results.
Despite the doubts, Perez’s campaign reposted the clip Thursday evening as part of a montage titled “Mourinho, next Real Madrid coach.”
Benfica declined to comment directly on the video but issued a separate statement noting that any move by Perez to appoint Mourinho would require a €15 million payment to terminate the manager’s contract.
The announcement comes as Perez, 79, faces his first presidential challenge in 20 years from Spanish renewable energy tycoon Enrique Riquelme. Riquelme has promised to transform the club’s training ground into a social hub with hotels, pools, and gyms to reconnect with disillusioned fans.