Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho says he would have left the club this summer if he had been in Vinicius Jr.’s position, but believes the Brazilian forward remained because the club and Madrid are his home.
Vinicius Jr. had been strongly linked with a move away from the Bernabeu during the summer, with Premier League champions Arsenal reportedly interested. However, the 26-year-old eventually signed a new contract that will keep him at Real Madrid until 2032.
He will miss tonight’s LaLiga match at home to Sevilla, who are fifth in the table, one place and four points behind Mourinho’s side. Vinicius is serving the first game of a four-match suspension after receiving a straight red card during last week’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal.
The forward appeared to have doubled Real Madrid’s advantage 20 minutes after coming on, converting Jude Bellingham’s cutback. However, a VAR review ruled out the goal and Vinicius was dismissed for pulling the hair of Nathan Saliba.
It would have been only his second goal for the club this season. His first, and so far his only one, came on 26 August in the second game of the campaign against Real Sociedad. He has also scored for Brazil in a friendly against Australia.
The reduced return represents a noticeable dip in form for a player who has won 14 honours since joining Real Madrid from Flamengo as an 18-year-old in 2018.
Vinicius has subsequently faced jeers and taunts from Real Madrid supporters, known for their demanding standards. The pressure increased after his performance in midweek against Roma in the Champions League.
With Real Madrid trailing 3-1 shortly before the hour mark, Mourinho substituted Vinicius. His replacement, Endrick, helped inspire a remarkable comeback as the Spanish side won 4-3 in the Italian capital.
Despite the criticism, Mourinho offered public backing to Vinicius before the Sevilla match and said the player’s attachment to Real Madrid and the city had influenced his decision to stay.
“If I were him, I probably wouldn’t be here,” the Portuguese manager said.
“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.”