José Mourinho has shared a typically dramatic dressing room story, recalling how he once reacted to a player’s reluctance to take a small injection in order to feature in a match.
The veteran Portuguese coach, known for his intense personality and strong man-management style, described the incident as an example of the different mentalities that can exist between players and coaching staff during high-pressure moments.
Mourinho explained that one of his players refused to take a minor medical injection that was needed to help him play. In response, the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager said he took an unusual approach to make a point.
“I once had a player who didn’t want to take a small injection to play a match,” Mourinho said, recounting the episode.
He went on to describe how he dramatically demonstrated his own willingness to undergo the procedure first.
“I took off my shoe and socks, and I put my foot right in front of his face and I told the doctor: ‘Give me the injection’. And he gave it to me and my toe was perfect,” he said.
According to Mourinho, the intention was to show the player that the procedure was harmless and to encourage him to follow suit. However, the player reportedly remained unconvinced.
“Then I told the player, ‘Come on, you can also do it.’ He said: ‘No, you are crazy’,” Mourinho added.
The coach concluded the story by revealing that the player never featured in another match under his management following the incident.
While the anecdote has circulated widely for its humour and theatrical nature, it also reflects Mourinho’s long-standing reputation for psychological motivation techniques and his uncompromising standards in elite football environments.
Throughout his managerial career, Mourinho has often spoken about the importance of mentality, sacrifice and resilience in professional football, frequently highlighting the fine margins that separate success from failure at the highest level.
