José Mourinho has given a long interview to "Sport Week", where he talked about his career, international football and the World Cup.
Recalling his time at Inter and Roma, Mourinho also focused on former player Nicolò Zaniolo, whom he called "special" for his ability to predict situations in matches.
He recalled a moment where he predicted that Zaniolo would score the decisive goal in the Conference League final against Feyenoord, which he said happened.
Asked about a player who represents "elegance" in football, Mourinho chose Zinedine Zidane.
"The first name that comes to mind is Zinedine Zidane. Marco Materazzi might be mad at me for that, but watching Zizou play was pure beauty," he said.
Regarding life as a coach, he said that the country doesn't matter much as long as he is with his close people, adding that "Rome is the most beautiful city in the world" for him.
Speaking about the World Cup, Mourinho expressed great optimism for Portugal.
"Portugal can do anything. They have an incredible generation. We won the Nations League a year ago, and this generation is technically stronger than the one from Euro 2016. Portugal can win this World Cup."
He also mentioned other favorites such as Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil and Argentina.
Regarding the situation in Iran and the political debates surrounding their participation in the tournament, Mourinho took a clear stance:
"Football and politics are two different things. The Iranian players who have qualified deserve to play in the World Cup."
He concluded by emphasizing that despite the tensions off the field, football must remain a sport that allows players to compete at the highest level.
