Jose Mourinho: Champions League final bigger than World Cup

How very Jose Mourinho of him ...

Mourinho, dubbed "The Special One," by himself and thusly, the British media, is preparing to lead Inter Milan into the Champions League final this Saturday at Madrid's Bernabeu Stadium against Bayern Munich. A massive game, of course. But, the most important game in the world? In 2010?

Mourinho told the press that he thought the Champions League final trumped the World Cup final because the competition is better among elite club teams.

"This game is the most important in the world," said Mourinho, the former coach at Chelsea and possibly the future coach at Real Madrid. "It is even bigger than the World Cup because the teams in it are at a higher level than national teams, who can't buy the best players."

When you think about it, Mourinho's case may hold water. An interesting debate, indeed. Could Inter top Spain? Could Barcelona beat up Brazil? Would Chelsea romp the Netherlands? Sadly, those games will only be played on paper.

Photo credit: AP