Roma ultras honour Mourinho with Curva Sud tribute before Real Madrid win at the Olimpico

Roma's Curva Sud presented Jose Mourinho with a bronze Capitoline Wolf and a heartfelt letter before Wednesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, thanking their former coach for restoring "the ability to dream."

Jose Mourinho waves to the Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico

According to the Corriere dello Sport, representatives of the Giallorossi's ultras met Mourinho before kick-off and handed over a 1925 bronze wolf by J. Cuevas. The letter explained that supporters never had the chance to say goodbye after his sacking in January 2024.

"Mister, they didn't give us time to thank you and say goodbye, so we are doing it today," it read. "Thank you for giving us back dignity, pride and the ability to dream. That is worth more than any victory."

The fans also quoted a member of the group who has since died: "We didn't win much, but winning once was enough to say we had won more than anyone."

"This Capitoline Wolf means that Rome recognises you as its son. Thank you forever, Mister."

The tribute continued inside the Stadio Olimpico, where the Curva Sud unveiled a choreography in his honour and the whole stadium sang his name. Mourinho waved and blew a kiss to the stands.

Mourinho led Roma to the Conference League title in 2022 and the Europa League final a year later. He responded to the tribute on social media: "When the most beautiful moments of a long career are neither the goals nor the victories, but emotions for which I can only humbly express my gratitude. Thank you Roma, thank you Romanisti. Emotion and eternal gratitude to you."

A familiar foe, a familiar drama

On the pitch, Mourinho's Real Madrid delivered a stunning response against his former club. Trailing 3-1, Los Blancos scored three times in the closing stages to win 4-3 in the Champions League league phase, as reported by Football Italia and FotMob on 15 October 2026. Carlos Espi, Endrick and Antonio Rudiger were the late scorers in a seven-minute blitz, while Mourinho praised Roma wing-back Wesley after the match and criticised the timing of Vinicius Junior's four-match ban announcement.