Denzel Dumfries admits he and José Mourinho still talk about Inter and follow the Nerazzurri, and reveals: ‘I talk a lot with Marcus [Thuram], and we still make the same jokes about each other, and he tells me everything.’
Dumfries joined Real Madrid from Inter last summer.
The Merengues activated the Dutchman’s €20m release clause to take him from the Nerazzurri after five years.
At the Bernabéu, Dumfries reunited with a legendary former Inter coach, Mourinho.
“I like him a lot; he’s a great coach. Just look at what he’s done in his career. Of course, I know about his past at Inter, too,” Dumfries told Libero.
“We’re just at the beginning of the season, and we’re starting to get to know each other, but the first signs are very good.
“We’ve talked a lot about Inter. The time we spent there was very special for both of us. We love Inter; we keep following them, and we talk about it.
“I follow everything, and I still talk to my former teammates. It’s normal,” he continued.
“I talk a lot with Marcus [Thuram], and we still make the same jokes about each other, and he tells me everything. Over these five years, we became a family. Now I follow them from afar, but I see everything.”
When asked to name those he got along with best at Inter, the Netherlands international replied with a smile: “I don’t want to make anyone angry! Definitely Marcus, Bisseck, Hakan [Calhanoglu], Akanji, de Vrij and Onana.”
Inter, Dumfries and Mourinho have already reunited this season, meeting in the Champions League round 1 at the Bernabéu.
“When I saw that we were going to play against Inter, it was great,” Dumfries said.
“At first, I even thought we were going to play at San Siro. I texted the guys saying: ‘I know all your tactics, you won’t be able to surprise me!’ And they joked back that they were going to play 4-4-2, so I wouldn’t know what to expect.
“It was really nice, although obviously a little strange. Before and after the match it was very special; during the game, though… It’s business, and you have to compete against each other.”
Dumfries has only just started his career at Real Madrid, but is already enjoying the Spanish capital, on and off the pitch.
“I really like it. It’s such a beautiful city, and I’m really happy,” he said.
“Obviously, it’s difficult to find a better place than Milan, so I had to be careful picking the new city and the new club. I’m really happy.
“After five years at Inter, I felt that it was the right time to try something new. To me, Real Madrid are the biggest club in the world, and it’s a privilege to play here. It had nothing to do with Inter because I had an incredible time there.
“After the [2025-26] season ended, before the World Cup, my agent called to say he was in contact with Real Madrid. I was happy and proud.
“I immediately told Piero [Ausilio]. I had a great relationship with him and everyone at Inter, and I wanted them to know right away.”
Dumfries was on excellent terms with both Ausilio, who has now left Inter, and the Nerazzurri president Giuseppe Marotta.
“To me, they are great people,” Dumfries said.
“Even when it came time to discuss my contract, we were always honest with each other. I considered my age, my goals, and my career. We always spoke openly. Having this kind of relationship with my sporting director was very important. We did everything the right way. They were five special years.”
Last but not least, Dumfries spoke about his favourite moments at Inter.
“I’d say the first Scudetto. The last one was also very special, but the first was incredible,” he concluded.
“The second star is something that will remain in history forever. Of course, the last Scudetto was a huge surprise. Everyone was looking at Inter and wondering what would happen. Winning the double with Chivu was fantastic. They were incredible years.”
