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Jose Mourinho’s dramatic return to Real Madrid has electrified the Santiago Bernabeu, but no player faces greater scrutiny than Vinicius Junior. After a season marked by dazzling performances and intense controversies, the Brazilian forward must now prepare to work under a manager who recently questioned his behaviour on the European stage.

Mourinho’s comeback and the Vinicius equation

Reports suggest that Mourinho has agreed to a three-year contract to take charge at Madrid, contingent upon Florentino Perez’s victory in the upcoming presidential election on June 7. While the 'Special One' has a proven record of success in the Spanish capital, his reappointment immediately raises questions about his ability to coexist with the club’s current superstar, Vinicius, especially after their public disagreement earlier this year.

The tension between the two dates back to a Champions League knockout tie in February, when Mourinho, then managing Benfica, clashed with the Brazilian international. The storyline of Mourinho’s second stint at Real Madrid will largely depend on how he handles the 25-year-old, whose position as the team’s main attraction has been tested by both contract negotiations and the arrival of global icons like Kylian Mbappe.

Will Vinicius pledge his long-term allegiance?

Despite Mourinho’s imminent return, there are, according to BBC Sport, “strong signs” that Vinicius still envisions his future at Real Madrid. His existing deal runs until 2027, though extension talks have slowed. The forward reportedly expects a salary package that aligns with his stature as the squad’s figurehead, especially after his consistent displays guided the club through several transitional phases before the latest wave of high-profile signings.

Vinicius has repeatedly called Real Madrid “the club of my dreams,” but the arrival of Mourinho could become a turning point if their relationship fails to flourish. Whether they can align on a shared vision and if Mourinho will offer the “unwavering support” the player needs amid external scrutiny will likely define the upcoming La Liga season.

Lingering tension from the Champions League clash

The friction between them can be traced back to a heated encounter at the Estadio da Luz. After netting a stunning goal, Vinicius was booked for his celebration before alleging that he was subjected to racial abuse by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The incident halted play for nearly ten minutes and saw Vinicius and several teammates temporarily leave the field in protest, invoking UEFA’s anti-racism procedures.

Although UEFA later handed Prestianni a six-match suspension for a homophobic slur—citing insufficient evidence for the racial abuse claim—it was Mourinho’s response that proved most controversial. The Portuguese manager appeared to shift blame onto Vinicius, saying: “You score a goal from another world, why celebrate like that? The same thing always happens in so many stadiums. He’s an out-of-this-world player, I love him. Vinicius tells me one thing and Prestianni tells me another. I want to be balanced.”

Mourinho’s contentious comments on racism allegations

Adding further strain to their potential partnership were Mourinho’s remarks about the atmosphere at Benfica. He suggested that Vinicius had riled up the crowd, stating: “Yes, I believe so. It should have been the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal. Unfortunately, he wasn’t just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you should celebrate respectfully.”

Mourinho also invoked the legacy of club legend Eusebio to defend Benfica’s reputation. “When he was arguing about racism, I told him the greatest person in this club’s history [Eusebio] was black,” Mourinho said. “This club is the last place you can call racist. Vinicius and Prestianni told me different stories. I don’t believe either side completely. I prefer to remain neutral.”