Jose Mourinho, the head coach of Real Madrid, recently voiced his concerns regarding young defender Raul Asensio in a press conference ahead of their upcoming match against Real Betis. Asensio has been embroiled in controversy due to a DUI charge and an ongoing court case related to a sexual harassment incident involving his youth teammates.

Mourinho stated, "I have spoken with Raul since my arrival about past issues. I have not commented further on off-field matters. At the Valdebebas training ground, Raul is a professional player, and when healthy, no one trains harder than him, always the first to arrive and the last to leave. However, a Real Madrid player must understand that he is a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and twelve months a year. Everything he does off the pitch reflects on Real Madrid. It is unacceptable for his actions to affect the club's reputation. I am very unhappy; everyone makes mistakes, but accumulating many mistakes over time is entirely different."

Despite his concerns, Mourinho expressed relief that he temporarily does not have to deal with Asensio's situation, as the club has opened an investigation into the matter while Asensio is sidelined with an injury for about two weeks.

In addition to discussing Asensio, Mourinho was asked about Lionel Messi's international career. He acknowledged the complexity of the topic and remarked on Messi's unforgettable legacy. When questioned about Aurelien Tchouameni's recent absence, Mourinho seemed reluctant to elaborate, suggesting that it would be a significant issue to address after the match.

As Real Madrid prepares to face Betis, Mourinho acknowledged the strength of their opponents, who are competing in the Champions League this season. He noted that teams like Atletico Madrid, Betis, and Villarreal pose substantial challenges, emphasizing that no opponent in La Liga can be considered easy.

This match will also mark the fourth time Mourinho faces Manuel Pellegrini, with whom he has had a contentious history in previous encounters. However, Mourinho refrained from revisiting past conflicts, stating, "We cannot turn back time. Football has a long history, and everyone has said something foolish at some point. I have also made unkind remarks, and he defeated me to win the Premier League with Manchester City. When Betis faced Roma, he treated me with great respect, even when we were down to ten men. Pellegrini is a role model for coaches."