Jose Mourinho backs Vinicius Junior to thrive at Real Madrid after Espanyol backlash

Jose Mourinho has given Vinicius Junior a private message of support after the Real Madrid forward was subjected to sustained criticism during the club’s La Liga match against Espanyol.

Mourinho defended the Brazil international publicly after the game and also spoke to him away from the media to make clear that he remains firmly behind him.

Vinicius has only recently begun working with Mourinho during this new phase of his Real Madrid career, having renewed his contract with the club. However, the forward already knows that his manager intends to protect him while also helping him develop.

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Vinicius was not at his best against Espanyol. He became heavily involved in confrontations with opponents, received a yellow card and appeared to fall into a pattern of behaviour Mourinho wants him to control.

The performance has not altered Mourinho’s assessment of the player, particularly after only one match. The Portuguese coach also understands that Vinicius needs to feel supported while once again dealing with intense pressure.

The jeers, whistles and abuse directed at the Brazilian continued throughout the match, prompting Mourinho to use his post-match comments to defend his player.

“Vini is not an angel, but what they are doing to him is excessive,” said Mourinho.

The manager went further, criticising what he believes is a repeated pattern involving opponents and Vinicius.

“It has become a recurring pattern among opponents. First I commit a foul against him, then you commit a foul against him; then I commit a foul against him, then you commit a foul against him. If I get a yellow card, you commit a foul against him. I leave the pitch with a yellow card, then another player comes on without a yellow card and commits a foul against him. It is frustrating for the player.”

Mourinho also described the treatment from supporters and rival players as “bullying”.

“We live in a social era that is against bullying, but with Vini, we are still suffering bullying from opponents and fans,” he said.

His intervention was not intended to excuse everything Vinicius does. Mourinho knows the forward must improve his emotional control and avoid allowing provocation to distract him from the match.

However, demanding improvement in that area is very different from questioning the player’s importance to the team. Mourinho reportedly wanted Vinicius to understand that distinction in their private conversation after the criticism that followed Real Madrid’s opening league fixture.

The manager spoke to him to offer reassurance and restore his confidence, telling him that he was with him and would continue to support him.

For Mourinho, Vinicius is a key part of the Real Madrid team he is building. The manager wants players who can change the course of matches: wingers willing to receive the ball wide, take on defenders, attack full-backs and force the entire opposition defence to retreat.

Vinicius fits that description. His movement can create space for Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and the rest of Real Madrid’s attacking players. His ability to exploit open areas also means that any successful recovery of possession can quickly become a serious attacking threat.

Mourinho particularly values another quality in Vinicius: his personality. The coach wants Real Madrid to be competitive, attacking and ambitious, with a refusal to settle for less. He believes Vinicius embodies many of those qualities.

His character, passion, willingness to take responsibility and determination to decide matches are traits Mourinho wants to develop rather than suppress.

That is why the manager does not regard Vinicius’ performance in the opening game as a cause for concern. The season has only just begun, and the Brazilian still has room to improve physically. Mourinho expects his displays to develop as his playing time, confidence and understanding with his team-mates increase.

For the Portuguese coach, the question is not whether Vinicius can become an important part of Real Madrid’s plans, but how much further he can take the player.

One of Mourinho’s main objectives this season is to maximise the strengths of his players and help them reach a higher level. With Vinicius, that challenge appears particularly appealing.