Mourinho Hails Roma’s Wesley After Real Madrid’s 4-3 Comeback: “He Impressed Me More Than I Thought”

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | In a night of high drama at the Stadio Olimpico, Real Madrid staged a stunning late comeback to defeat Roma 4-3, but it was the performance of Roma’s Wesley that drew special praise from Real Madrid coach José Mourinho. The Portuguese tactician, making his first return to Rome since being sacked in January 2024, admitted that Mourinho hails Roma’s Wesley after Real Madrid’s 4-3 comeback as one of the standout moments of the match, even in defeat for the Giallorossi.

Wesley, deployed in an unfamiliar wing-back role, was tasked with containing Vinícius Júnior, who learned hours before kick-off that he faces a four-match LaLiga ban. The Brazilian defender rose to the challenge, making life difficult for Vinícius throughout the first hour. “He made life difficult for Vinícius in attack and caused us problems when we were defending,” Mourinho said, speaking to TNT Sports via TuttoMercatoWeb. “I already knew he was a good player, but it was the first time I’d seen him play in that position and he impressed me even more than I thought. He defends very well and then gets forward with great pace. Wesley is a really excellent player.”

The compliment was not lost on Wesley, who expressed his delight at receiving such high praise from a coach of Mourinho’s stature. “I’m happy, it’s nice to receive praise from a coach like Mourinho,” he told the same broadcaster. “I just prayed and told myself: ‘I have to stop Vinícius, I have to stop Vinícius.’ I was prepared and I’m pleased with my game. I still have a lot to improve, but I’m satisfied with my individual performance.”

Despite his personal success, the night ended in frustration for Wesley and his Roma teammates. Real Madrid, trailing 3-1, scored three late goals to snatch victory, with two of those coming from corners. Wesley was booked in the second half and was one of the players Antonio Rüdiger shrugged off for the winner in added time. “I’m not happy with the team’s result, because we deserved to win,” Wesley said. “We conceded three goals from corners, and that’s something we need to work on.”

The match also highlighted Vinícius Júnior’s difficult evening. The Brazilian was withdrawn on 59 minutes shortly after his careless back-heel handed Donyell Malen the chance for Roma’s second goal. With a four-match ban looming, Vinícius’s performance will add to the scrutiny surrounding him. Mourinho, however, chose to focus on the positives, particularly the resilience of his Real Madrid side. “We showed great character to come back from 3-1 down,” he said. “But we also have to acknowledge that Roma made it very hard for us, and Wesley was a big part of that.”

The comeback was reminiscent of Real Madrid’s never-say-die attitude in the Champions League, and it leaves Roma ruing missed opportunities. For Wesley, the praise from Mourinho is a significant boost, but the team’s collapse will linger. “We have to learn from this,” he said. “We can’t afford to switch off in the final minutes. But individually, I’m happy with how I handled Vinícius, and I’ll keep working to improve.”

Mourinho’s return to the Olimpico was always going to be emotional, but the focus quickly shifted to the action on the pitch. The Real Madrid coach, who led Roma to the Europa League title in 2023, received a mixed reception from the home fans. Yet his post-match comments were gracious, especially towards Wesley. “He’s a player with a bright future,” Mourinho added. “I’m sure he’ll go on to have a great career.”

The result leaves Roma with work to do in the Champions League league phase, while Real Madrid strengthen their position. For Wesley, the individual acclaim is a silver lining, but the defeat will hurt. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: Mourinho hails Roma’s Wesley after Real Madrid’s 4-3 comeback as a testament to the young defender’s potential, and the football world will be watching his next steps closely.

In conclusion, while the headlines will focus on Real Madrid’s dramatic win, the performance of Wesley serves as a reminder of the talent emerging at Roma. Mourinho’s praise, coming from a coach who has seen it all, is a significant endorsement. Wesley’s ability to nullify Vinícius, albeit for 59 minutes, shows his defensive acumen and attacking threat. However, the late collapse underscores the need for collective improvement. As Roma regroup, Wesley’s individual display offers hope for the future, and Mourinho hails Roma’s Wesley after Real Madrid’s 4-3 comeback as one of the night’s most compelling subplots. The young Brazilian will look to build on this performance, and if he continues to develop, he could become a key figure for both club and country.