Mourinho to Rest Vinicius Jr for Real Madrid’s Villarreal Clash
Jose Mourinho is set to leave Vinicius Junior out of Real Madrid’s starting side for the Villarreal match on October 10, with the move intended as a short-term reset rather than a punishment.
The Brazilian forward has made an unconvincing opening to the campaign, falling below his usual level in one-v-one situations and contributing less regularly in Madrid’s attacking sequences. Mourinho wants to act quickly to prevent the dip becoming a longer problem.
Quick facts
- Vinicius is expected to be benched against Villarreal on October 10.
- Real Madrid view the decision as a brief confidence reset.
- Brazil beat Australia 4-2 in a recent friendly, when Vinicius scored an 80th-minute penalty.
- Madrid aim to have him fully sharp for Barcelona on October 25.
- Roma, Sevilla and RB Leipzig are the planned matches for his return to the XI.
Vinicius has acknowledged that Brazil’s World Cup disappointment remains difficult to process. His international team-mates attempted to lift him during the win over Australia, when Bruno Guimaraes gave him the chance to take a late spot-kick.
Guimaraes would normally take penalties in Raphinha’s absence, but Vinicius said the Arsenal midfielder recognised his need for a confidence boost. The winger said losing a World Cup was hard to accept and that recovering mentally had not been straightforward.
There is no suggestion Madrid are reconsidering Vinicius’s long-term place. Mourinho still sees him as central to his plans, and the club do not want a lengthy period out of the side to further damage the player’s belief.
Madrid’s depth in forward areas gives the coaching staff room to rotate without heavily weakening the attack. The Villarreal omission is designed to be a targeted intervention, not the start of an extended spell on the bench.
What happens next: Vinicius is expected to return immediately after the Villarreal fixture. Starts against Roma, Sevilla and RB Leipzig are intended to restore his rhythm, match sharpness and attacking confidence before the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona on October 25.
