Benitez, who left Chelsea last month for Napoli, has been succeeded by Mourinho, with whom he has often shared a fractious relationship. Mourinho has often been castigated for his unsporting ways.
Benítez told AS: “I don’t know what Mourinho does. I know what I do: I always want to win, without crossing the line of sportsmanship. It’s true that I get on better with some coaches than others and I align myself with those that don’t value winning at any cost.
“I joined Madrid’s academy when I was 13 and learned everything there. I received a sporting education from Madrid and I was taught to show respect and dignity towards the opponents whether we won or lost.”
