Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says he would have left the club during the summer if he had been in Vinicius Jr’s position, claiming he would have moved to “a club, league and country that respects me”.
The Brazilian forward was strongly linked with a departure from the Bernabeu, with Premier League champions Arsenal reportedly interested in signing him. Those rumours ended when Vinicius agreed a new contract that will keep him at Real Madrid until 2032.
However, he will miss tonight’s home LaLiga meeting with Sevilla as he begins a four-match suspension. Vinicius was sent off during last week’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal after pulling the hair of Nathan Saliba.
The dismissal came after he appeared to score Real Madrid’s second goal, converting Jude Bellingham’s cutback 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute. A VAR review ruled out the goal and resulted in the straight red card.
Vinicius has scored only once for his club this season, finding the net on 26 August in the second game of the campaign against Real Sociedad. He also scored for Brazil in a friendly against Australia, but his reduced output represents a notable decline for a player who has won 14 honours since joining Real Madrid from Flamengo as an 18-year-old in 2018.
His form has made him the target of jeers and taunts from Real Madrid supporters, who are known for their demanding attitude. The pressure increased after Wednesday’s Champions League match against Roma.
Real Madrid were 3-1 behind shortly before the hour mark when Mourinho substituted Vinicius. His replacement, Endrick, helped inspire a remarkable recovery as the Spanish side eventually secured a 4-3 victory in the Italian capital.
Despite those difficulties, Mourinho defended Vinicius before the Sevilla game and suggested the player’s decision to remain in Madrid was driven by his attachment to the club and the city.
“If I were him, I probably wouldn’t be here,” said the Portuguese manager.
“I would have forced my exit over the summer to a club, league and country that respects me. But this club is his home and that is why he has stayed. I doubt I would have the psychological strength to stay when I had so many options.”
Vinicius will therefore watch from the sidelines as Real Madrid face a Sevilla side sitting fifth in LaLiga. Sevilla are one place and four points behind Mourinho’s struggling team in the table.
