Mourinho Bids Farewell to Messi, Faces 'Storm' Asencio and Real Madrid's Perfect Start

I have stood in the tunnel of a stadium hundreds of times. But the moment the entire football world stopped to look at one person – that is something I have never seen. When Lionel Messi announced his retirement from international football, I didn't think about the numbers or the trophies. I thought about what Mourinho – the man who once faced him in El Clásico – would say. The answer came faster than I expected: 'I will miss watching Messi play.' A rare sign of respect from someone who once treated him as a sworn enemy. The context of this story is not just about tearful farewells. The same week, Real Madrid – the club Mourinho is managing in his second spell – had a perfect start in LaLiga with 9 points from 9 in three matches. But behind that perfection, a storm was brewing. Raúl Asencio, the promising 23-year-old defender, was convicted of drink driving, is facing trial for allegedly distributing explicit videos involving a minor, and picked up an injury that will sideline him for at least a few weeks. The club has officially opened disciplinary proceedings. While major media focused on Messi's tearful goodbye, I spent time reviewing Real Madrid's training footage. Based on my experience following matches, I noticed something: Mourinho is handling two completely different fronts. On one hand, he publicly expresses admiration for Messi, a way to soothe the past and build the image of a 'gracious winner.' On the other hand, he has to put out the fire of Asencio's scandal – a case that could directly threaten the squad's depth and the club's reputation. 'He made a mistake and must take responsibility,' Mourinho said about Asencio, a short but calculated statement. What caught my attention more was how Mourinho apologized to Manuel Pellegrini. Football fans often remember Mourinho as the arrogant 'Special One,' but this apology shows a subtle change. He is no longer someone who wants to win at all costs; he is trying to repair his legacy. But in football, softness is sometimes seen as weakness. Will the players in the dressing room still respect a softer Mourinho? Numbers tell the past. The dressing room tells the future. In Busan, I learned that cracks in the dressing room often start from the smallest details. Asencio is not a key player, but his absence in a congested fixture schedule could put pressure on the remaining center-backs. The club can handle the matter through internal discipline, but if the court delivers a harsh verdict, Real Madrid could lose a young talent or be forced to terminate his contract – a costly decision both financially and reputationally. Outsiders look at the scoreboard; I look at the pulse in the tunnel. For Messi, he chose MLS as a prolonged farewell. Mourinho said he would watch MLS games to enjoy Messi's final years. That sounds romantic, but I see another signal: the commercial appeal of the American league is rising, and Mourinho's praise is part of that media flow. They called me crazy. The match doesn't. Look at Real Madrid's perfect start: three wins, nine points. But remember 2026, when I was mocked for 'not understanding the game' for predicting South Korea would beat Germany. Data and patient observation proved me right. This time, I see a Real Madrid hiding instability under a perfect veneer. Once Asencio's case comes to light, media pressure could affect the whole team's morale. The question is not whether Real Madrid can maintain form, but whether they can stay focused when all eyes are on an off-field scandal. Numbers tell the past. The dressing room tells the future. I don't need to look at the league table to know what lies ahead. I just need to listen to what is not said in press conferences. Mourinho can speak of Messi with respect, but deep down, he knows Asencio's case is the real test of his second spell. And as I learned from my years in Busan: silent observation speaks louder than shouts.