In a separate interview with Onda Cero, Leon revealed that Mourinho not only sidelined him at Madrid but also prevented him from leaving. “I had another offer from City, Chelsea and Milan,” he said. “Some wanted to sign me in winter but Mourinho didn’t let me go.”
At the time, City and Chelsea were among several top clubs tracking Leon, whose breakout performances at Getafe had earned him a reputation as one of Spain’s brightest wide talents. His inability to secure a move, coupled with limited opportunities at Madrid, derailed his progress and led to years of stagnation before reviving his career at Eibar and Murcia.
Reflecting on that period, Leon’s tone was more nostalgic than bitter. “Is Mourinho a good coach? He’s a good motivator, especially at the beginning. He arrives and you believe in the message. You buy into it,” he said. When asked if he missed his old boss, Leon laughed: “What if we miss a coffee? No. It’s not a problem, he’s fine in Portugal and I’m in Murcia.”
Leon's time at Real Madrid may have been short-lived, but his reflections reveal the human side of an era dominated by Mourinho’s intensity. A gifted right winger with technical flair and creativity, Leon became one of several players who struggled to fit into the Portuguese coach’s demanding, results-driven environment. His words reflect both maturity and closure, a reminder of how players and coaches often move on from the storms that once defined them.