Top News

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has come out in support of Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian attacker was once again whistled by his own fans. The winger was taken off late in Tuesday’s tight Champions League win over Inter, with sections of the crowd showing their frustration after an underwhelming display.

Real Madrid scrape past Inter amid fan discontent

Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde got the goals as Real Madrid claimed a 2-1 win over Inter to begin their Champions League league phase campaign. Even though they took all three points on Tuesday, the mood at the Bernabeu turned sour towards the end when Vinicius Junior was substituted. The Brazilian left the field in the 87th minute to loud whistles from the home crowd, who made their unhappiness clear after the forward failed to show his usual sharpness against a stubborn Italian defence.

Mourinho backs out-of-form winger

Speaking to the media after the final whistle, Mourinho accepted that Vinicius is not in top form at the moment, but stressed how hard the player worked defensively throughout the game. The Portuguese coach said the winger was simply exhausted in the closing stages.

“He isn't at his best, and he knows it,” Mourinho said in his post-match press conference. “But he's working hard to be the Vinicius who decides games. Without being at his best, he's working harder than ever.

“In the moments that he wasn't able to drop back and defend, it was because of fatigue. I have to value that a lot. I have a lot of respect for this Vinicius. The time will come when he decides games, and wins us games.”

Mourinho also made it clear that he still has full faith in the forward’s ability to change things, while also pointing to the tactical problems created by Inter’s wing-back system.

“If he works, he'll always have my support,” he added. “He worked very hard for the team. Playing against a side that plays with three at the back, with wing-backs, it's very hard for the wingers.

“Obviously with the one-on-ones he had on the left wing, with Vini at his best, he'd kill the game. That's what we expect of him. But he gave everything.”

Tough spell in the Spanish capital

This latest episode adds to what has already been a difficult period for the Brazil international. After a challenging 2025-26 campaign marked by regular criticism from the Madrid supporters, Vinicius committed his long-term future to the club this summer. Even so, his start to the new season has been below his own high standards, with just one goal and two assists in five appearances.

The Inter match also underlined the structural issues in Mourinho’s side. With Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga all unavailable through suspension, the Madrid manager had to use Trent Alexander-Arnold out of position in central midfield. Mourinho praised the England international’s effort, saying: “It's hard for Trent. I appreciate the effort he made, but with his characteristics, the specificity needed to play full-back or central midfield, it's completely different physically.

“He had some losses of the ball, because it's not the same playing with the whole field in front of you, and playing with half the field behind you. He's played there a few times with Liverpool and the national team, but, it's completely different. He didn't have more to give.”

Winning back the Bernabeu

Vinicius now faces a major challenge to regain the trust of the demanding Real Madrid fans as Mourinho’s side return to domestic action. Los Blancos are due to host Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid derby in La Liga on Saturday, giving the Brazilian an immediate chance to answer his critics at home.

European action will then pause for the upcoming international break. After that, Madrid will travel to the Italian capital to take on Serie A heavyweights Roma. Having just got past his former club Inter, Mourinho will now come up against another of his old sides as Los Blancos try to build on their opening win.