Tearful Mourinho Hails Conference League 'History' for Roma

Jose Mourinho won his fifth European trophy with the Conference League success OZAN KOSE AFP
Jose Mourinho won his fifth European trophy with the Conference League success OZAN KOSE AFP
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Tearful Mourinho Hails Conference League 'History' for Roma

Jose Mourinho won his fifth European trophy with the Conference League success OZAN KOSE AFP
Jose Mourinho won his fifth European trophy with the Conference League success OZAN KOSE AFP

Jose Mourinho said that he and Roma had made history after winning the Europa Conference League on Wednesday, the club's first ever major European trophy.

Portuguese coaching icon Mourinho tried and failed to hold back the tears after Roma beat Feyenoord in their first continental final in over three decades and he was still emotional by the time he hailed his team after the trophy ceremony.

Roma fans have taken Mourinho into their hearts during an up and down season which culminated in Wednesday's 1-0 win in Tirana which ended a 14-year trophy drought for the capital club, said AFP.

"I've been at Roma for 11 months, I knew the moment I arrived what it meant to the people. They had been waiting for something like this," Mourinho told Sky.

"This was not work tonight, this was history. We had to write history. We wrote it."

Wednesday's triumph was his fifth European title and made him the first coach to win all current UEFA competitions.

And he confirmed that he would be staying at Roma next season to build on the solid work done in his debut season.

"I am staying, there's no doubt about that," he said.

"We need to see what our owners, who are fantastic people, want to do next season because this is history, but we can build a special project.

"Now I'm going to go on holiday, sit on the beach and think about it all for a while."



Singo Apologizes for Injuring Donnarumma, Monaco Condemns Ensuing Racist Abuse

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
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Singo Apologizes for Injuring Donnarumma, Monaco Condemns Ensuing Racist Abuse

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint Germain leaves the pitch after receiving an injury during the French Ligue 1 soccer match AS Monaco vs Paris Saint Germain, at Stade Louis II, in Monaco, 18 December 2024. EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER

Monaco has condemned the racist insults at its defender Wilfried Singo, who gave Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma a bloodied face in their Ligue 1 game.
Donnarumma’s face was cut up by Singo's studs during PSG's 4-2 win at Monaco on Wednesday.
Singo's shot was blocked so he tried to jump over the sliding Donnarumma but struck his face. Photos showed a cut below his right eye. Singo, who had already been warned, was lucky to avoid a red card.
PSG said Donnarumma suffered “a facial trauma with multiple wounds.” He was scheduled for exams on Thursday and will likely be rested for several days.
Singo apologized to Donnarumma, The Associated Press reported.
“My gesture was obviously not intentional, but I was able to see afterwards that he had a significant injury to his face," Singo wrote on social media in French and Italian. “I wish you a good recovery.”
PSG posted a video showing Singo in its dressing room and speaking with a smiling Donnarumma after the match. In the footage, the goalkeeper can be heard saying in Italian “Tranquillo," which in that context translates as “Don't worry.”
Social media was not so understanding.
Monaco said in a statement on Thursday it “firmly condemns the unacceptable racist comments made about Wilfried Singo on social networks after last night’s match against Paris Saint-Germain. Such behavior has no place in sport, either on or off the pitch, and is totally at odds with the values upheld by the club. The club offers its full support to Wilfried.”
Donnarumma walked off the field and was replaced by Matvey Safonov.
PSG has opened a 10-point lead at the top of the French league. Monaco remained in third place, level on points with second-placed Marseille, which has one match in hand.