Diogo Dalot recalls Mourinho’s support and his career at United.

Diogo Dalot, the Portuguese right-back of Manchester United and the National Team, reveals a story of overcoming challenges and determination that few know. In an exclusive interview with The Players Tribune, Dalot shared pivotal moments from his career, from the unexpected contact with José Mourinho to his battle against a serious injury that nearly ended his dream of playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

It all started with a call that changed his life: “When I answered, it was really him. José Mourinho. And he was saying exactly everything I wanted to hear. That I have talent. That I am strong. ‘You just needed a test,’ he said. He had been watching me when FC Porto played against Liverpool at Anfield because I was marking Sadio Mané. ‘You stopped the best winger in the world. Now come play for me.'” An invitation that seemed perfect, but was soon put to the test by an unexpected setback. Shortly before signing, Dalot suffered a serious injury that required surgery. “I was absolutely sure that the transfer had fallen through. When I got home, I sent a message to Mourinho explaining the surgery. We waited for a response. Me, my father, my mother, and my agent. Sitting in silence,” he recalled.

What happened next was a moment of pure emotion: “Finally… PING! Everyone looks at me. I look at my phone. From: José Mourinho. ‘Diogo, I don’t care about the injury. You’re going to be out for five months. I’m hiring you for the next ten years.’ You can’t imagine the tears that flowed from my body. My mother was crying. My father broke down in tears like I had never seen before. Even my agent was emotional. Ten seconds before, I was living the worst day of my life. And then Mourinho saw something in me that I couldn’t even see myself.”

However, the career in England has not been a bed of roses. After Mourinho’s departure, Dalot saw his playing time drastically decrease: “In the following season, I think I only played 10 games in all competitions. I felt ashamed to be on the bench. I was so embarrassed that I started going down to the changing room to watch the games alone on television. My mother had come to live with me in England, but when I got home, she barely said ‘hello.’ I would go down to the basement, turn on the PlayStation, put Paranoid on repeat, and start thinking. I played at Porto. I was considered one of the great talents. Now I’m not even on the bench. I’m wasting my years. I’m losing time. What am I doing here?”

Dalot has not forgotten his roots and the impact that his early years had on his journey. He recalled the experience of trying out for Benfica, which contrasted with his father’s dream: “His dream was to see me play for Porto. But, about two years later, I went to try out for Benfica. We trained next to the Estádio da Luz, and when I showed up dressed in red, my father looked physically ill. They wanted to keep me. But then Porto called, ‘Come here.’ My dream came true. And so did his.” Additionally, he revealed a curious episode from his childhood: “At that time, my parents wanted me to enter a well-known music school. I took an admission test where I had to answer 90 questions out of a total of 100 correctly. Question: What animal goes miauuuuu? My answer: dog. FINAL RESULT: 3/100.”

But perhaps the most dramatic and revealing story occurred when Dalot was just 12 years old. On a day that could have ended in tragedy, the young full-back survived a serious accident on the highway: “I was going to Porto with a teammate and his father. We lived in Braga and they gave me a ride to training. Two minutes after we got on the highway… BOOM. A brutal accident. The car flipped over and ended up upside down. Before I even realized what was happening, the world was turned upside down. Glass was shattered everywhere. I was stuck in the back seat. I unbuckled my seatbelt. I crawled out through the back window. And I ran as fast as I could. I could see smoke coming from the car, but fortunately, we all managed to get out alive. When my parents arrived at the scene, my mother was crying. Then I saw my father. And do you know what the first thing I heard him say was? ‘I’m glad it was you, son. Because you are strong and you will make it.'”

Dalot’s story is a lesson in resilience and hope for all young Portuguese footballers. From Mourinho’s decisive contact to overcoming the toughest moments, the Manchester United full-back shows that talent, mental strength, and family support are essential to reaching the top of world football. Diogo Jota, his teammate in the national team, summed up well the ambition that drives these players: “We will pursue his dream.” With this mindset, Dalot is ready to seize his destiny in football and finally show the world his full potential.

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