Jose Mourinho has named his home nation of Portugal as the Euro 2024 winners (Image: Topps)
Jose Mourinho has thrown his weight behind Portugal as potential Euro 2024 champions, suggesting they could pull off a victory akin to their 2016 triumph.
Despite acknowledging Harry Kane's match-winning prowess for England, the ex-Tottenham boss is tipping Roberto Martinez's squad to potentially clinch the title, despite not being the hot favourites.
Mourinho, speaking in his capacity as a global Topps ambassador, hailed Portugal's current squad as "probably now the best we've ever been" asserting that no other nation boasts a better line-up of talent for the upcoming European contest in Germany.
The decorated manager expressed his respect for past Portuguese generations but emphasised the unparalleled squad depth and quality at their disposal today, stating: "I don't want to be disrespectful about previous generations that we had, but in terms of squad depth and quality, we are probably now the best we have ever been and Portugal can go on to win it. It's about having confidence, and self-belief that they can beat anyone."
Mourinho then confidently declared, "I don't want to say Portugal are the best team, but Spain, France, England, Germany are not better.", reports the Mirror.
He also highlighted the enviable dilemma coaches face with such a talented pool, remarking: "The best problem for a coach is having to choose who to play, because there are two great right-backs, two great left-backs, two great positional midfielders and I say two only because there is a 23-man squad but there are more."
Mourinho believes that Portugal can go all the way this year with their squad (Image: Damjan Zibert/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Reflecting on Harry Kane, whom he managed at Spurs, Mourinho added: "Kane has scored goals for Tottenham, England, and I had no doubts that he would score goals for Bayern.
"Harry is a fantastic, complete player who scores goals from all over the pitch but isn't selfish he assists, drops deep, builds play, presses, defends.
"The only thing he is missing is to win a trophy. He was my player at Tottenham, and I was going to win one with him, but I was sacked six days before the final."
The Portuguese star also noted that teams like France and Germany always tend to do well during these tournaments and that England are "better than ever".
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He also claimed that a nation like Belgium or Italy winning the Euros would come as a "surprise".
Mourinho said: "If there is a surprise, I will be surprised! France and Germany always do well, Portugal and England are better than ever. These four teams. I'm not certain about Spain but the football they play and the players they have are of the highest quality. Italy or Belgium would be a surprise."
Euro 2024 kicks off with the opening match between hosts Germany and Scotland on Friday, June 14 at 8pm on ITV.
