Mourinho stands firmly behind Vinicius after Espanyol clash

Jose Mourinho has made his position on Vinicius Jr unmistakably clear in the aftermath of Real Madrid's trip to Cornellà to face Espanyol. The Portuguese coach didn't stop at defending the Brazilian in front of the cameras. He also sat down with the winger privately to reinforce his confidence at a moment when the player, fresh off signing a new contract with the club, finds himself back under intense scrutiny.

• Mourinho publicly defended Vinicius after the Espanyol match, criticizing how he's treated by opponents and rival crowds.
• The coach also spoke with the player privately to deliver a clear message of unconditional support.
• Vinicius struggled to find his best form in Cornellà, picked up a yellow card, and got caught up in repeated clashes with opposing players.
• Mourinho sees the Brazilian as a cornerstone of the Real Madrid side he's building, both for his football and his competitive edge.
• The manager expects Vinicius's performances to improve as the season progresses and he regains rhythm and confidence.

What happened during the Espanyol match

The game at Cornellà showed a Vinicius more focused on individual battles with his markers than on his usual attacking game. The winger ended up booked and drawn into constant friction with rival players, a tendency Mourinho wants to help him manage going forward. Even so, the coach isn't treating that night as a red flag, but rather as part of the adjustment process for a player just beginning a new chapter under his guidance.

Mourinho's public defense of his winger

After the final whistle, the Portuguese didn't shy away from questions about Vinicius's conduct or the hostile atmosphere surrounding him throughout the match. Whistles, insults and constant pressure from the stands defined the Brazilian's night, and Mourinho chose to speak out publicly about what he views as a recurring pattern targeting his player.

Vini is no saint, but what they do to him is too much.

There's already a pattern, something that repeats itself among opponents. First I hit him, then you hit him; if I get a yellow card, you hit him again. It's a frustration for him.

The manager went further, describing what he called systematic mistreatment of the winger from both the pitch and the stands, drawing a parallel with issues society is actively working to address in other contexts.

We're in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini we're still stuck in the bullying from opponents and the crowd.

The private message Mourinho sent Vinicius

Beyond his comments to the press, Mourinho wanted to speak directly with Vinicius so the support wouldn't stop at public statements. Following criticism that surfaced after the league opener, the coach sought to reassure him and make clear that his assessment of the player doesn't hinge on a single match. For the Portuguese, asking the Brazilian to better control his emotions when provoked is a separate issue from questioning his importance to the team, and he draws a firm line between the two.

Why Vinicius is central to Mourinho's plans

The Portuguese coach is shaping a Real Madrid side that needs players capable of creating danger on their own, and Vinicius fits that mold almost perfectly. His ability to run at defenders, receive the ball in open space and attack the fullback directly forces constant problems for opposing backlines, while also opening up room for teammates like Mbappe and Bellingham further up the pitch.

But beyond the footballing qualities, Mourinho places particular value on the Brazilian's competitive character. The manager wants an ambitious, aggressive team that never settles, and he believes Vinicius embodies much of that identity, his personality, hunger and obsession with making a difference are traits he wants to sharpen rather than tone down.

What Mourinho expects for the rest of the season

With the campaign just underway, the coach trusts that Vinicius's level will rise steadily as he racks up minutes, sharpens his match rhythm and builds chemistry with his attacking teammates. For Mourinho, the question isn't whether the Brazilian will be decisive for Real Madrid this season, but how far he can push him toward his best possible version, a challenge the manager himself considers one of the most exciting parts of his new role at the club.