Where are the 11 stars from Mourinho’s final El Clásico now, and what are they doing?

Times have changed, and so has football. Some who were once heroes at the Santiago Bernabéu now spend their time fishing, while others have dedicated themselves to developing young talent. Some have moved into coaching or joined club management boards, while others—defying age—continue to run across the football pitch.

Time has also brought changes to José Mourinho. Yet, in one aspect of his life, time seemed to stand still: El Clásico. It was in March 2013 that the Portuguese coach last stood in the Real Madrid dugout against Barcelona. That day, Real Madrid secured a 2–1 victory, with goals from Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos, while Lionel Messi scored the lone goal for Barcelona.

More than 13 years have passed since then. During this period, Mourinho has managed various clubs and faced countless opponents, but he has not crossed paths with Barcelona again—until now. That long wait is finally coming to an end; he is set to return to the El Clásico dugout. This time, he faces the challenge of helping Real Madrid narrow the gap against their arch-rivals.

But where are the players from that Real Madrid side of 13 years ago? What are the 11 footballers who featured in Mourinho’s final El Clásico doing today?

Diego López: From Controversy to Coaching

One of the most talked-about episodes during Mourinho’s tenure at Real Madrid was his decision to bench Iker Casillas and install Diego López as the starting goalkeeper. López continued to play professional football well into his forties; as recently as three years ago, he was still active in La Liga. After spending a season with Rayo Vallecano, he finally hung up his gloves.

Following his retirement, López returned to Real Madrid—this time as the goalkeeping coach for the club’s reserve side, Castilla. Later, when the first-team goalkeeping coach was temporarily suspended, Mourinho brought him into the first-team coaching staff on an interim basis.

The very man—Lopez—around whom Mourinho was once embroiled in controversy, is now his assistant!

Sergio Ramos: Awaiting One Last Surprise

Sergio Ramos is nearing forty, yet this legendary defender has no intention of hanging up his boots just yet. He has been without a club since leaving the Mexican side Monterrey last December.

A potential destination for him could be Getafe in Spain. The club has already signed Dani Carvajal on a free transfer and has expressed interest in bringing in Ramos as well.

Getafe president Ángel Torres told Radio Nacional that Ramos is on their list of potential signings and that the club has been considering him for a long time.

A star of Ramos’s stature surely won’t see his career end in silence; perhaps one final surprise still awaits.

Raphaël Varane: From the Pitch to the Boardroom

The conclusion to the career of Raphaël Varane—Ramos’s defensive partner—was not a happy one. After leaving Manchester United, the French defender joined the Italian club Como, but he was forced to retire due to injury after playing just a single match.

However, Como did not part ways with him; following his retirement, Varane was appointed as a member of the club’s board of directors. His primary responsibility involves the development and nurturing of young footballers.

Regarding his new role, Varane remarked that moving from the pitch to the boardroom is not the end of his football journey, but rather the beginning of a new chapter.

Pepe: Leaving the Pitch, but Not the Game

In 2024, the legendary Portuguese defender Pepe bid farewell to professional football. He spent the final five years of his career at his former club, Porto.

Last summer, there were discussions about Pepe joining Mourinho’s coaching staff, though nothing has been finalized yet. Occasionally, this former defender can also be seen participating in friendly matches featuring Real Madrid legends.

Fábio Coentrão: From Football to the Sea

Among the stories from that Mourinho-era squad, Fábio Coentrão’s is perhaps the most surprising. While many players turn to coaching or commentary after retirement, Coentrão chose fishing. He is now a full-fledged fisherman and the owner of a fishing boat.

It was his family heritage that drew him back to the sea. Explaining his decision in 2021, Coentrão shared that his father owned a boat, and he used to go fishing with him as a child. Knowing that his football career would eventually come to an end, he had already begun planning for his life afterward.

In his own words, he has found true happiness in the sea and in fishing.

However, controversy has followed him into this new chapter as well. In 2025, Portuguese authorities seized over a ton of shellfish from him, citing that he was operating an unlicensed business.

Michael Essien: Nurturing Young Talent

Former Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien has been serving as an assistant coach for the Danish club FC Nordsjælland since 2020. The club maintains a partnership with Ghana’s 'Right to Dream' Academy.

Players such as Mohammed Kudus, Simon Adingra, and Caleb Yirenkyi emerged from this academy. Essien’s current role involves helping young talents from Ghana and various other nations develop their potential.

Once a star at the heart of the pitch, his focus now is on guiding others to reach that same level.

Luka Modrić: Where Age Is Just a Number

Luka Modrić’s career at Real Madrid did not get off to a strong start, leading many to question his abilities. Yet, José Mourinho never lost faith in him. The rest, as they say, is a part of football history. After spending over a decade at Real, this Croatian midfielder joined AC Milan in 2025. Despite his advancing age, his performance has not waned; thanks to his experience and skill, he remains a vital part of the team.

Even at the age of 41, Modrić shows no signs of stopping. His coach, Rúben Amorim—who is the same age as him—has fielded him in all seven of Milan’s league matches this season. It is as if Modrić is proving to the football world that age is merely a number on a calendar!

José Callejón: From the Spotlight to the Shadows

In 2025, in Spain’s third division José Callejón retired after spending one season at the club Marbella. However, the winger couldn't fully sever his ties with football; he later made a brief return to the sport, playing in a lower division for his hometown club, Puerto Motril.

For now, though, he remains away from the limelight.

Kaká: From Sports Marketing to Coaching Ambitions

Brazilian star and former Ballon d'Or winner Kaká bid farewell to football in 2017. Since then, he has served as a FIFA goodwill ambassador and is currently involved in sports marketing. Yet, he has not entirely abandoned his dream of becoming a coach.

In an interview with the Italian publication *La Gazzetta dello Sport* this year, Kaká mentioned that while he is currently focused on sports marketing, he prefers not to make any definitive statements about his future just yet.

His name has even surfaced in discussions regarding a potential role on Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff for the Brazilian national team. Kaká noted that he has been preparing himself ever since his retirement in 2017—he studied sports business at Harvard University in the United States and completed coaching courses offered by the Brazilian Football Confederation.

He also expressed his readiness to return to the service of the Brazilian national team should the opportunity arise.

Álvaro Morata: A Return to the Second Division

Álvaro Morata broke into the Real Madrid first team under the guidance of José Mourinho. He went on to enjoy a distinguished career, playing for major clubs such as Juventus, Chelsea, and Atlético Madrid. However, the Spanish striker’s prime years are now behind him.

Last season, Morata managed only one goal in 30 appearances for Como. He is currently on loan from Como to Leganés, marking his return to the Spanish second division for the first time since his stint with Real Madrid Castilla in the 2012–13 season.

Morata has yet to score for Leganés, and in his most recent match, he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards. ## Karim Benzema: Uncertainty About the Future

Karim Benzema scored Real Madrid’s first goal in that 2013 *El Clásico*. Thirteen years later, the future of the French striker has become highly uncertain.

Last summer, Benzema reached an agreement to terminate his contract with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal—a matter that has yet to be fully resolved. During his time with the club, he scored 10 goals in 16 matches. Subsequently, rumors circulated that he might return to his boyhood club, Lyon; however, the French club’s sporting director, Mathieu Louis-Jean, dismissed that possibility.

Benzema remains officially under contract with the Saudi Pro League until 2030, making a return to Europe far from straightforward. Given these circumstances, retirement has emerged as a potential option for him.

The Same Starting XI, Divergent Paths

The players from that particular starting lineup under José Mourinho have since followed very different paths. Some have taken to fishing, others are coaching young footballers, and some have joined club boards of directors. Meanwhile, a few continue to demonstrate their skills on the pitch.

The lives of those who once etched their names into the history of *El Clásico* under the bright lights of the Bernabéu have taken vastly different turns. Yet, all their stories remain linked by that same chapter—José Mourinho’s Real Madrid and those memorable battles against Barcelona. For Mourinho, *El Clásico* remains a unique stage for an enduring rivalry.