Mourinho: Inter-Juventus a ‘bigger rivalry’ than Milan derby but Sneijder ‘not robbed’ of Ballon d’Or

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Lorenzo Bettoni | Last updated 2/16/24

José Mourinho feels the rivalry between Inter and Juventus is bigger than between the Nerazzurri and Milan and insists Wesley Sneijder was ‘not robbed’ of the Ballon d’Or in 2010.

The Portuguese coach released an interview with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand on the podcast FIVE.

The Special One taunted Roma owners for his sacking in January and added more about Italian football. Speaking about rivalries in the country, he said: “Inter-Juve more than Inter-Milan.

“The first derby I played, Inter-Milan, I remember clearly. I was on the bus, and I was looking at people going to the stadium together with Inter and Milan scarves. It’s really nice and friendly, but I don’t feel it is a big derby. When it’s Inter-Juve, you feel that something is not going historically well between them.”

Mourinho made history at Roma and Inter. He became the first coach to lift a trophy at a UEFA level in the capital in 2021-22, more than ten years after winning the treble at the Stadio Meazza in 2009-10.

Former Netherlands international Sneijder greatly contributed to Inter’s triumphs that season but didn’t win the Ballon d’Or.

“I don’t like to say robbed,” argued Mou.

“Who won it that year? Messi? So it was not robbed. But Wesley did the treble, Champions League winner, and I think, World Cup Final in the same season, so Wesley should have been at least in the top three, but in the last generation, when Cristiano and Messi won the Ballon d’Or, it was never robbed.”

Mourinho had six months left in his contract with Roma when he was sacked this past January.

He had been linked with the Napoli job but the Partenopei President Aurelio De Laurentiis has said the Portuguese won’t be appointed to replace Walter Mazzarr in 2024-25.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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