Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates with Jude Bellingham and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid, after scoring a goal that was later disal...
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates with Jude Bellingham and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Real Madrid, after scoring a goal that was later disallowed following a foul during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 10, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has suggested Vinicius Junior should have taken the opportunity to join Arsenal over the summer, whilst praising the Real Madrid winger for not doing so.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
Vinicius Junior was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the summer, but he opted to sign a contract extension with Real Madrid instead.
The new season hasn’t got off to the best start for the winger, and now Real boss Jose Mourinho has suggested he would have left Madrid if he were in Vinicius’ shoes.
“If I were in his position, I probably would not have stayed here,” Mourinho said. “I would have forced the club to let me leave for a country where they respect me, but he has stayed because of his sense of belonging to Real Madrid and his love for the club.”
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid receives a red card from referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 10, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid receives a red card from referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 10, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“He believes that things can improve, and that is why he keeps smiling,” Mourinho added. “Nothing and no one can take that smile away from him.
“When he renewed his contract, he signed to say that Real Madrid is his home, and he had the enthusiasm to carry on making history and winning titles.
“I have serious doubts that I would have had the same strength to stay here, despite all the offers that were in front of him.”
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid receives a red card from referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 10, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid receives a red card from referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 10, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Vinicius is currently serving a four-match suspension, having received a red card for pulling the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba. The Real Madrid winger was given two matches for the incident itself, plus a further two games for his furious reaction towards the referee.
Unfortunately, the four-match ban includes next week’s El Clásico away to Barcelona, as well as games against Sevilla (H), Racing Santander (A), and Valencia (A).
Vinicius has also only scored one goal in his first 10 appearances of the new campaign, albeit whilst also providing three assists. All the same, Mourinho clearly believes the 26-year-old will ultimately come good, despite his current struggles in Spain.
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Real Madrid manager suggests Vinicius should have joined ArsenalJose Mourinho has suggested Vinicius Junior should have taken the opportunity to join Arsenal over the summer, whilst praising the Real Madrid winger for not doing so.
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Jose Mourinho left fuming as Vinicius Junior ban appeal rejectedJose Mourinho was left fuming after the decision to hand summer Arsenal target Vinicius Junior a four-match ban in midweek, with the winger to miss El Clásico.
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