The Inter Miami star inspired the South Americans to World Cup glory in Qatar 2022, scoring seven goals and claiming the Golden Ball award as the tournament's best player.
With Argentina once again among the favourites at the 2026 World Cup, Mourinho reflected on Messi's historic achievement.
"The Messi World Cup (in 2022)... believe in Football Gods, because the guy couldn't have the career (he's had) without winning it. So you have that feeling that there is something superior that made a guy win a World Cup," Mourinho told Adebayo Akinfenwa on the Beast Mode On Podcast.
"I have so many memories in World Cups where you say: 'Wow'. It looks a bit crazy but Mexico 1970, I was seven years old and I remember.
“I remember watching the final with my father and I remember really, really well the final, and the feeling, and Brazil, Carlos Alberto's last goal, Pele making the class assist. I remember it clearly and I was seven.”