Jose Mourinho has suggested that Vinicius Junior should have considered leaving Real Madrid, saying he would not have remained at the Spanish club if he had faced the same treatment as the Brazilian forward.
The winger has endured repeated racial abuse from opposition supporters since joining Madrid in 2018. He has also faced criticism and disciplinary issues, including a recent red card that resulted in a four-match suspension.
Vinicius was sent off during Real Madrid’s victory over Villarreal last weekend after pulling an opponent’s hair. The ban means he will miss the highly anticipated El Clasico against Barcelona on October 25.
Despite the controversies surrounding the 26-year-old, Mourinho praised his character and ability to remain positive under pressure.
“He’s a spectacular kid who it’s easy to have a good relationship with. He’s a fantastic boy,” Mourinho told reporters.
The Portuguese coach added that Vinicius deserved credit for continuing to smile and perform despite the challenges he has faced.
“If it were me in his place, probably I wouldn’t be here. In this last summer I would have forced an exit to a league, a country, to somewhere there are rival clubs and stadiums that respect him,” Mourinho said.
Vinicius Chooses to Stay at Madrid
Despite the difficult experiences, Vinicius committed his future to Real Madrid by signing a new contract that runs until 2032.
Mourinho believes the Brazilian’s love for the club and the city influenced his decision to stay, along with his hope that the situation could improve.
The coach also insisted that the treatment Vinicius receives should not take away his happiness or affect his relationships with teammates.
Mourinho recently substituted the forward during Real Madrid’s 4-3 Champions League victory over Roma on Wednesday. Vinicius is still working to regain the form that helped him win the competition twice under former Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Meanwhile, Mourinho expressed relief that the winger received a four-match suspension, suggesting he had feared the punishment could have been longer.
Mourinho Reacts to Real Madrid’s Dispute With La Liga
Mourinho also commented on the growing tension between Real Madrid and La Liga president Javier Tebas.
The disagreement escalated after Tebas compared Madrid’s attempts to undermine confidence in referees with propaganda methods associated with Nazi official Joseph Goebbels. Tebas later clarified that his comparison concerned propaganda techniques rather than Nazi ideology.
Asked about the controversy, Mourinho said there were limits to what could be excused and declined to discuss the matter further.
He urged Madrid and its supporters to avoid allowing the dispute to damage the league’s international reputation, particularly given the club’s standing in world football.
Real Madrid are preparing to face Sevilla as they attempt to keep pace with Barcelona in the Spanish league title race. Barcelona have made a strong start to the season, leaving Madrid under pressure to avoid falling further behind.
Source: AFP
