Jose Mourinho Supports Vinicius Junior After Bernabeu Fans Boo Real Madrid Star in Champions League Win
Jose Mourinho stood up for Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian forward was booed by Real Madrid fans during their 2-1 Champions League win against Serie A champions Inter at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The winger, substituted late in the match, received whistles from the home crowd following a quiet performance. This reaction came despite Madrid securing all three points thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde.
Mourinho Acknowledges Vinicius’s Struggles But Praises His Effort
After the game, Mourinho admitted that Vinicius is not playing at his peak but emphasized the player’s tireless defensive work. He said the lack of impact late in the match was due to exhaustion.
"He isn’t at his best, and he knows it," Mourinho said. "But he’s working hard to be the Vinicius who decides games. Without being at his best, he’s working harder than ever."
"When he couldn’t drop back and defend, it was because of fatigue. I respect this Vinicius a lot. The time will come when he decides games and wins us games."
Mourinho also pointed out the tactical challenge posed by Inter’s wing-back system and praised the effort Vinicius put in despite limited chances.
"If he works, he’ll always have my support. Playing against a side with three at the back and wing-backs makes it very tough for wingers," Mourinho explained. "With the one-on-ones he had on the left wing, if Vinicius was at his best, he’d kill the game. That’s what we expect of him. But he gave everything."
Ongoing Challenges for Vinicius at Real Madrid
This incident adds to a difficult spell for Vinicius. After facing criticism throughout the 2025-26 season, he recommitted to Real Madrid for the long term this summer. Still, his start to the new campaign has been slow, scoring only one goal and providing two assists in five appearances.
Mourinho Deals With Squad Difficulties
Mourinho’s squad was stretched due to suspensions to key players Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga. This forced him to play Trent Alexander-Arnold out of position in central midfield.
"It’s hard for Trent," Mourinho commented. "I appreciate his effort, but playing full-back and central midfield demands different physical qualities. He lost the ball a few times because the roles are so different. He didn’t have more to give."
Upcoming Matches Offer Vinicius a Chance to Redeem Himself
Real Madrid will return to La Liga action on Saturday, hosting Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid derby. This game offers Vinicius an immediate chance to win back the Bernabeu supporters.
Following the international break, Madrid will face Roma in Italy. This clash marks another reunion for Mourinho with a former club as his team aims to build on their Champions League start.
- LaLiga Fixture: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano - 12 Sept 2026, 21:00
- Serie A Fixture: Udinese vs Inter - 14 Sept 2026, 20:45
