Mourinho Backs Vinicius Junior as Real Madrid Star Battles for Form
Jose Mourinho has defended Vinicius Junior amid growing pressure on the Real Madrid winger, insisting the Brazilian deserves backing as he works through a difficult spell ahead of the Villarreal match.
Mourinho said Vinicius is suffering because he badly wants to recover the level that made him one of Madrid’s decisive match-winners. The coach also stressed that the forward’s effort and desire cannot be questioned.
Quick facts
- Vinicius has faced scrutiny after a marked drop in form at the Santiago Bernabeu.
- Mourinho says selection must be based on a player’s current condition, not reputation.
- Real Madrid could use a tailored plan for the Brazilian, including time on the bench.
- The coach believes outside pressure has made Vinicius’s recovery harder.
The Madrid boss said merit should matter, but warned that simply dropping an underperforming player is not always the best answer. Different footballers need different methods to restore confidence, sharpness and rhythm.
“If someone is not performing, one option is to take him out, but that has risks,” Mourinho said. “Some players need time before they can return to their normal level. You mention Vinicius, and I will not deny it.”
Vinicius has established himself as a global star in recent seasons, but his recent performances have prompted questions over whether his place in the starting side should be protected.
Mourinho said he has been struck by the 25-year-old’s commitment behind the scenes. He described Vinicius as an exceptional young man who is working hard to regain the form that once regularly decided games for Madrid.
The manager is now weighing whether to keep selecting the winger through the downturn or introduce a more specific recovery programme. That could mean using him from the bench or finding another tactical solution if an immediate improvement does not arrive.
Mourinho also addressed the reaction around the Bernabeu, making clear he respects Real Madrid supporters while arguing that the player needs more help from the environment around him.
“It hurts me to see a player like him not receiving the support he merits when he is no longer producing that extraordinary Vinicius level,” Mourinho said. “He wants to become that Vinicius again, the one who gave Madrid fans so much joy.”
