Mourinho praises Mbappe’s response to China controversy and outlines Vinicius plan

Jose Mourinho says Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid responded to the controversy surrounding China and the misuse of artificial intelligence with “class”, while insisting Vinicius Junior remains an important part of his plans.

The Real Madrid manager was speaking at a news conference on Saturday, a day before his side host Racing Santander in La Liga on Sunday, 01 November 2026.

Mourinho said he was reassured by the way both the club and Mbappe had handled the dispute, which involved the use of AI to create fake facial images.

“What I feel is reassurance, because the club I belong to is Real Madrid and the player I have in my team is Kylian Mbappe,” Mourinho said, in comments reported by Spanish newspaper AS.

“Real Madrid and Mbappe showed class in their immediate response, and I feel that I represent them completely.”

Asked whether the events away from the pitch had affected Mbappe psychologically, Mourinho replied: “No. Kylian is very intelligent and mature, has a very high level of self-confidence and, at the same time, possesses class.”

The Portuguese also praised Mbappe’s reaction to Harry Kane winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

“In the way he dealt with Harry winning the Ballon d’Or, I saw nothing but class and respect,” Mourinho said. “There is a difference between knowing you are the best and respecting someone else who has done a great deal to win an award.”

Mourinho described the China controversy as an example of the dangers created by modern technology and public comment.

“These are the risks of today’s world, where often the best thing you can do is not open your mouth, because there are risks surrounding many of the things you say or comment on,” he said.

He added that the matter was now closed from the club’s perspective.

“From our side, it is over. We have nothing more to do,” Mourinho said.

Vinicius remains wanted

Mourinho also rejected the idea that he was building a fixed starting XI involving Federico Valverde at full-back, Bernardo Silva in midfield and another player on the left wing.

“I do not think about Vinicius’ individual situation and I do not have a fixed starting line-up,” he said. “The team I use today may be different in two weeks.”

The manager said the greater intensity and speed of modern football made it increasingly difficult to rely on the same players every week.

“Football today is not as it was 20 years ago; it has become more intense and faster, and the physical demands are much greater,” he said. “That is why it is very difficult to define a team’s starting line-up simply by naming players, as happened in the past.”

Mourinho said he preferred midfielders with different characteristics, but stressed this reflected his playing philosophy rather than a strict division between starters and substitutes.

Vinicius is suspended in La Liga but remains available in the Champions League.

“His situation is very simple: he does not play in the league because of the suspension, but he plays in the Champions League,” Mourinho said. “I want him, I want him very much. I hope this suspension ends quickly, because I want him and I need him.”

He clarified that did not guarantee an immediate return to the starting XI.

“That does not mean I am saying he will start, but he will not be a problem either,” Mourinho added. “He is a great player we will have within a very good group.”

Asked if Real Madrid had become more balanced without Vinicius, Mourinho disagreed, saying his priority was to develop a unified squad.

“We are working to become one team, whether it is the players who play or those who remain off the pitch,” he said. “We work with one model of play in terms of pressing, the positioning of the lines and the way we build attacks. This team is developing, and then you can change two or three players without it being affected. That is the objective.”