At Valdebebas, with Rome still fresh in the conversation and a demanding domestic visit from Sevilla approaching, José Mourinho used his press conference to make an emphatic defence of Vinícius Júnior. The Real Madrid coach said the Brazilian’s decision to remain in Spain, despite the pressure surrounding him, reflected a deep attachment to the club.
Vinícius backed after four-match suspension
Vinícius was recently sent off against Villarreal and has received a four-game ban, communicated shortly before Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Roma. The forward had also been kept away from public comment ahead of El Clásico, while his social-media criticism of Real Madrid TV added another layer to an already delicate week.
Mourinho described the winger as easy to manage and said their daily private conversations had reinforced his admiration for the player’s character.
- He called Vinícius “an extraordinary young man” who continues to face difficult circumstances with a smile.
- Mourinho said that, in the Brazilian’s position, he might have sought a move to a country where he felt more respected.
- Instead, he said Vinícius remains because of his affection for Madrid, his commitment to the badge and his belief that the situation can improve.
- The coach added that nobody should be allowed to take away the forward’s joy.
On the suspension itself, Mourinho said he had feared an even longer punishment. With irony, he suggested there had been concerns that “hidden cats” might have found one or two extra matches to add to the sanction. He said Vinícius must now work even harder and indicated that he expected him to start on Wednesday, despite usually avoiding such promises.
Roma reflections and a response to LaLiga’s president
The Madrid coach was also asked about criticism of the club’s official media channels from LaLiga president Javier Tebas. Mourinho declined to revisit every detail, but said the debate had crossed a line.
He argued that the situation could only be understood as something “clinical” if it was to have any explanation, adding that Madrid supporters increasingly understood what they were facing. Given the international standing of Spanish football, he said, such disputes were better not carried beyond the country’s borders.
Turning to the Champions League trip to the Stadio Olimpico, Mourinho assessed Vinícius’s performance against Roma and explained his second-half substitution.
- He said the match had been especially demanding for the Brazilian because Gian Piero Gasperini’s approach repeatedly directed play towards his side of the pitch.
- Mourinho was unhappy with the manner of Roma’s second goal, believing Madrid had been in control at that stage and that Vinícius should have reacted differently.
- He stressed that the winger was one of five players substituted, rather than being singled out.
Selection pressure before Sevilla
Madrid now turn towards Sevilla, a side Mourinho characterised as highly competitive and well coached by Luis García. He acknowledged fatigue within his group but expressed confidence in the squad’s response.
His explanation of the midfield role was blunt: a midfielder must perform the full range of midfield duties. In Mourinho’s view, a player who only defends is incomplete, while one who only attacks may be more suited to the wing or the No. 10 role. It is, he said, a particularly difficult position requiring exceptional ability.
Güler, Endrick and competition across the squad
Mourinho praised Arda Güler’s development, saying the Turkish international works extremely hard, possesses outstanding talent and can occupy several positions. He also noted that Güler remains a player still learning and improving.
Endrick received similar recognition after a brief but explosive appearance. Mourinho said the Brazilian created a wave of attacking threat in only 10 minutes and was among several players making a strong case for more game time.
- Andriy Lunin was singled out as a player deserving opportunities, despite training every day beside what Mourinho called the world’s best goalkeeper.
- The coach said Madrid have 15 or 16 players who could reasonably feel they deserve a place, rather than merely 11.
- He named Diomande, Marc Cucurella, Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappé among the players whose claims make selection difficult.
- Mourinho said colleagues with smaller squads may regard his resources as fortunate, but the accompanying scrutiny and media debate also make decisions more complicated.
He added that Lunin’s positive attitude had not gone unnoticed, but joked that the obstacle was simple: a team cannot field two goalkeepers at once.
No winter request as Mourinho trusts the group
Mourinho does not intend to ask Real Madrid for additions in the winter transfer window. The squad is built around 23 players, with Vinícius unavailable and Éder Militão expected back for the next fixture.
He said he was satisfied with both the group and its performances, maintaining that players develop individually and collectively when they are given time and calm working conditions. For Mourinho, that improvement is central to a coach’s job.
His preference remains a compact squad. Any incoming player, he said, would likely require someone else to depart. Should the sporting department identify a possible deal, he would consider it, but he will not initiate a demand for recruitment.
On Vinícius’s longer-term future, Mourinho kept internal conversations private but said the forward renewed his contract because he sees Madrid as home and wants to continue winning trophies and making history there. He described him as a source of happiness within the dressing room and said the player enjoys an excellent relationship with his teammates.
Mourinho returned to the theme of the offers Vinícius has received, saying he doubted he would have shown the same strength to stay under comparable circumstances.
Finally, asked about Valverde’s midfield use and the influence of outside analysis, Mourinho insisted that tactical authority still belongs to the coaching staff. He said there may come a day when artificial intelligence and public polls dictate decisions, leaving coaches only to manage from the touchline, but that day has not yet arrived.
A manager who refuses to listen is limited, he said, although listening to every opinion is no guarantee of success. Mourinho said he values different viewpoints but trusts his own assessment most, while remaining ready to adjust decisions after discussions with his staff, as he has done with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Valverde. With matches moving through many different phases, he added, the option to make five substitutions is an essential tool for a squad of Madrid’s depth.
