The Curva Sud presented José Mourinho with a bronze Capitoline she-wolf dating from 1925 before Roma's match against Real Madrid, delivering an emotional tribute to the former manager. The gift came accompanied by a letter from the ultras expressing their gratitude. The letter read: "Mister, we did not have time to thank you and say goodbye, and so we do it today. Thank you for giving us back dignity, pride and the ability to dream. This is worth more than any victory. Some of us who are no longer here said: 'We have not won much, but it was enough to win once to say that we had won more than everyone'. We have therefore come to you, on behalf of the entire Curva Sud, to tell you thank you. This Capitoline she-wolf means that Roma recognises you as her son. Thank you forever, Mister." The match itself proved bittersweet, but the day belonged to Mourinho's reunion with the Stadio Olimpico crowd. Chants, banners and tears marked an irreplaceable moment that the manager acknowledged had never been afforded to him before.
Mourinho's tenure regenerated Roma's entire environment after his appointment in 2021, restoring the club's competitive standing and emotional foundations. The Portuguese coach's return this week brought waves of affection from supporters who credit him with fundamental change at the Giallorossi.
On 16 October, Mourinho responded to the outpouring of support with a message on social media: "When the most beautiful moments of a long career are neither goals nor victories, but rather emotions for which I can only humbly express my gratitude. Thank you Roma, thank you Romanisti. Emotions and eternal gratitude to you." His reply typified what supporters describe as his distinctive style—delivered with characteristic grace and emotion rather than fanfare.
Story Coverage2 sources on this story
José Mourinho received an emotional tribute from Roma's Curva Sud before the club's match against Real Madrid, his first return to the Stadio Olimpico since departing as manager. The ultras presented him with a bronze Capitoline she-wolf dating from 1925, accompanied by a letter expressing the supporters' deep gratitude for his tenure. Both Forza Roma and Roma News confirm the core elements of this presentation, though Roma News attributes the sculpture to artist J. Cuevas, a detail Forza Roma does not provide.
The letter, read on behalf of the entire Curva Sud, conveyed the emotional weight of Mourinho's time at the club. "Thank you for giving us back dignity, pride and the ability to dream," it stated. "This is worth more than any victory." The ultras framed the She-wolf as a symbol of recognition, telling Mourinho: "Roma recognises you as her son." The message referenced supporters no longer present, quoting them as having said: "We have not won much, but it was enough to win once to say that we had won more than everyone." Forza Roma describes the match itself as bittersweet, emphasizing that the day belonged to Mourinho's reunion with the crowd, marked by chants, banners and tears. Both outlets note that Mourinho later responded on social media, expressing his gratitude and describing the moment as among the most beautiful of his career.
AI synthesis of all sources below — always check the originals.
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Non è stata una partita come le altre. Roma-Real Madrid, oltre all’amaro lasciato dal finale, ha regalato al mondo un’atmosfera unica e ha fatto emergere l’amore di una tifoseria per un uomo diventato leggenda nella Capitale. Il ritorno di Mourinho all’Olimpico è stato da brividi. Cori, striscioni…”
Read the full article in Italian at Forza Roma.
