Mourinho focused on restoring Vinicius to Real Madrid’s starting XI

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is working closely with Vinicius Junior to help the Brazil forward rediscover the form that previously made him an automatic choice in the club’s starting line-up.

Vinicius was absent from Real Madrid’s most recent La Liga visit to Mestalla, a situation that was repeated during the Clasico. He also missed the club’s trip to Valencia last season, at the stadium where he has been sent off twice.

His latest absence followed the red card he received against Villarreal, which ruled him out of league action during the final month of the season.

The forward’s changing position in the team has prompted questions about his standing at Real Madrid, particularly after he started two matches in the UEFA Champions League.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, the club and Mourinho have adopted a specific approach in their dealings with Vinicius. The player understands that he has lost his place in the first-choice side and is no longer viewed as indispensable, but he has felt fully supported and respected by both the manager and the club in recent days.

Mourinho and Real Madrid’s officials are backing the Brazilian, with the manager’s main priority being to restore the qualities that allow Vinicius to influence and decide matches the qualities he displayed after joining the club from Flamengo.

There is understood to be open communication between the player and Mourinho, in contrast to the lack of dialogue Vinicius experienced with Xabi Alonso last season.

Both the player and the coaching staff agree that he must recover his best form, given his status as one of Real Madrid’s most important assets.

Mourinho has been frank with Vinicius in private discussions and has also sought to strengthen his confidence publicly. At the same time, he has acknowledged that returning to normal levels will require considerable work.

The manager is treating the issue as a matter involving one of the club’s own key figures, in keeping with his role as Real Madrid’s coach, spokesman and defender of its sporting interests.

Vinicius is also working towards a return to his previous standard. He recognises that his immediate task is to regain both the position and the level that made his place in the starting XI virtually untouchable for several years. He is pursuing that objective in coordination with Mourinho and the club’s officials.

The renewal of his contract last summer, taking it through to 30 June 2032, provides stability for both sides during the current period and ahead of future transfer windows.

Vinicius has played 12 matches so far, scoring one goal and providing three assists figures well below the usual output expected from a player of his ability.

He was clear throughout negotiations that he wanted to continue his career at Real Madrid, while also recognising the expectations of the club’s supporters. Officials initially considered beginning the season without announcing the renewal, but after the World Cup they concluded that finalising and publicising the agreement was in everyone’s interests.

Unlike last season, Real Madrid supporters understand that the team’s shape and performances will depend on the relationship between the manager and player, even if that means Vinicius starts on the bench.

Upcoming listed fixtures include Tavernes de la Valldigna in the Copa del Rey on 10 November 2026, and Valencia, Real Madrid and Celta Vigo in La Liga on 21 November 2026.