Arsenal attempted to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window before the 26-year-old snubbed the Gunners and signed a lucrative new contract
VALDEBEBAS, SPAIN - OCTOBER 17: Jose Mourinho, head coach of Real Madrid, attends a press conference during the training day of Real Madrid ahead the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match against Sevilla FC at Ciudad Deportiva Real Madrid on October 17, 2026, in Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has praised Vinicius Junior for his 'loyalty'(Image: Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Jose Mourinho admits that Vinicius Junior should've quit Real Madrid and joined a club where he's 'respected'. Vinicius, 26, was a top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, with the Gunners willing to make him their highest-paid player.
Mikel Arteta was intent on signing the Brazilian, who'd entered the final year of his existing contract in Madrid worth £400,000 per week. But Vinicius ended up staying after Real offered him a lucrative new contract which keeps him at the Bernabeu until 2032.
The winger has played a prominent role under Mourinho so far this season, although he's currently serving a four-match suspension for pulling an opponent's hair. Vinicius has previously mentioned that leaving La Liga would 'give the racists what they want', having faced disgusting abuse throughout his time in Spain.
Mourinho, however, wouldn't have made the same decision on his future. "If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn't be here," the Real boss admitted. "I would have forced a move to a country where he'd be respected, but out of loyalty to Real Madrid and love for the club, he stayed.
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"He believes things can improve, and he still has that smile. Nothing and no one can take it away from him. He's a fantastic guy, and it's easy to get along with him.
"I spend a few minutes alone with him every day. I value him immensely because he always manages to live and survive with a smile."
Vinicius has started nine of Mourinho's 10 games in charge, returning one goal and three assists. The former Flamengo star was brought off after 59 minutes during Real's dramatic 4-3 win away to Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.
ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 14: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD2 match between AS Roma and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio Olimpico on October 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior rejected a move to Arsenal(Image: Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)
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Mourinho commented: "Vinicius had a very tough match, and as I said after the game, the main culprit for that was (Roma manager Gian Piero) Gasperini. He had a very difficult first half, and at the start of the second, Roma's power to finish down the right flank was gone.
"What bothered me was the nature of the second goal at a moment when the match was calm. We knew how they jumped to the man in that type of frontal build-up. But it's okay. I made five changes, not one."
Vinicius' ban means that he'll miss El Clasico next weekend, as Real bid to hunt down league leaders Barcelona, who've made a perfect start by winning each of their first nine games. Currently nine points behind with a game in hand, Real host Sevilla on Sunday.