Real Madrid: José Mourinho challenges Vinicius Jr

José Mourinho defends Vinicius Jr, while urging him to better control his reactions

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Real Madrid: José Mourinho challenges Vinicius Jr

José Mourinho has come to the defense of Vinicius Jr, who is regularly targeted by opponents and fans, while also calling on the Brazilian to better manage his emotions.

On the eve of Real Madrid's clash with Real Sociedad, José Mourinho addressed the situation of Vinicius Jr, who was at the heart of several heated incidents during Real Madrid's victory over Espanyol (2-1). The Portuguese manager doesn't deny that his player needs to improve in dealing with provocations, but he also believes the treatment the winger endures has crossed the line.

Mourinho warns about the treatment of Vinicius

"The reactions he has, if it's not about racism or homophobia, I think he can control himself and improve. The game, the fouls, the penalties—that's up to the referee. His relationship with opponents, that's something we can work on," Mourinho explained at a press conference.

A few days earlier, after the trip to Espanyol, the Madrid coach had already taken a much firmer stance on the root of the problem. He denounced what he sees as habitual harassment of Vinicius: repeated fouls, provocations from rivals, and hostility from certain crowds. The message is clear: the Brazilian must keep his cool, but referees and football authorities also need to do a better job of protecting him.

A key figure at Real Madrid

This constant attention is also explained by his importance to the team. Last season, the 26-year-old forward played in 51 matches across all competitions, scoring 21 goals and providing 15 assists. Despite a complicated campaign for the club, he remained one of the main attacking threats for la Casa Blanca.

Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, Vinicius has racked up 375 appearances, 128 goals, and 100 assists. A two-time Champions League winner, he remains a prime target for opposing defenses. Against Real Sociedad, Mourinho will expect the same influence on the pitch, but also a cooler, more composed response to provocations.