Mourinho backs Mbappe and Vinicius after Real Madrid supporters’ jeers

Jose Mourinho has defended Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior after the Real Madrid forwards were booed by sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd during Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan.

Mbappe opened the scoring against Inter Milan, taking his total to five goals in five matches this season. The France forward has made an impressive start since the campaign began, while Vinicius has also shown signs of returning to his best under Mourinho.

Mourinho said the criticism aimed at both players reflected the high standards they had established at Real Madrid.

“In Portugal, there is a proverb that says you only throw stones at trees that bear fruit,” said the Real boss.

“What has Vini Jr done here in recent years? How many Champions Leagues has he won, and how many goals has he scored? He is a tree that bears a lot of fruit, and people throw stones because they want the fruit.”

Vinicius has been subject to particular scrutiny despite his contribution to the club’s recent success. Mourinho said the Brazilian’s statistics suggested he was moving towards his best form again, highlighting improvements in his defensive contribution and the number of balls he had recovered.

The Portuguese coach also offered strong support to Mbappe, who scored 42 goals in 44 appearances for Real Madrid last season and has been nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

“A player who scores more than 40 goals for a team is never a problem,” Mourinho said.

He praised Mbappe’s commitment without possession, referring to an incident late in a match when the forward continued tracking back despite appearing to have exhausted his energy.

“I saw Kylian giving it his all. He was defending like an animal, even when he had nothing left. His attitude is incredible. It is a joy for me to see a player like that,” added the Los Blancos boss.

The comments came after both forwards were jeered during Real Madrid’s victory over Inter Milan. Mbappe’s goal maintained his scoring record at five in five matches this season, while Vinicius’ recent performances have offered signs that he is recovering his strongest form.

Mourinho’s defence of the two attackers centred on their record for the club and their continued work for the team. He argued that players who produce consistently for Real Madrid can attract criticism precisely because supporters expect them to deliver at the highest level.