José Mourinho has backed Vinicius Jr despite the Brazilian winger facing criticism from the Real Madrid supporters following Tuesday’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Inter.
Vinicius was unable to produce his best performance on the night, but Mourinho made it clear that the forward still has his full support and respect.
Speaking after the game, the Real Madrid boss explained why he showed affection towards Vinicius, insisting that the Brazilian’s willingness to work for the team is what matters most.
“If he works for the team, he always has my support,” Mourinho said.
The Portuguese coach stressed that supporting Vinicius does not necessarily mean guaranteeing him a starting place or keeping him on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. For Mourinho, the important thing is the commitment the player shows when he is on the field.
He also acknowledged that playing against Inter’s three-centre-back system and wing-backs made life particularly difficult for Madrid’s wingers.
Brahim Diaz impressed in a more central role, while Mourinho admitted that Vinicius still possesses the ability to decide matches when he is at his best.
“When he’s at his best, he kills games,” Mourinho said, recalling a previous encounter when Vinicius punished him with a counter-attack.
For Mourinho, the winger’s current struggles should not overshadow the effort he is putting in to rediscover his best form.
Mourinho: Real Madrid’s Win Could Have Ended 6-6
Despite securing all three points, Mourinho was far from completely satisfied with the way the game unfolded.
The Madrid manager described the match as chaotic and admitted that either side could have scored considerably more.
“The bottom line is that it could have ended 6-6 or something like that,” he said.
Mourinho made it clear that he prefers his teams to control matches rather than rely on their goalkeeper to produce outstanding saves.
He also pointed to defensive lapses as the reason Madrid conceded their goals, arguing that his side looked much stronger whenever they maintained their defensive shape and intensity.
Still, Mourinho acknowledged the quality of the opposition and recognised the importance of beating a team with so many attacking options.
The victory gives Madrid three valuable points and moves them closer to qualification, with Mourinho confident they will eventually get over the line.
Mourinho Sends Message to Vinicius After Madrid Fans Boo Him
Vinicius was also subjected to boos from sections of the Real Madrid crowd, but Mourinho refused to criticise the supporters.
Instead, he focused on the player’s current form and the work he is doing behind the scenes to improve.
“I’m not criticizing the fans, I’m speaking as a coach,” Mourinho explained.
The Madrid boss admitted that Vinicius is not currently at his absolute best, something he believes the player himself understands better than anyone.
But Mourinho believes that the winger’s determination to return to top form deserves recognition.
“He’s working to become the Vinicius who decides matches,” he said.
According to Mourinho, fatigue has played a role in some of Vinicius’ less effective performances. Rather than questioning his commitment, Mourinho believes the Brazilian is actually working harder than ever.
The message from the coach was simple: the best version of Vinicius will return.
“I have a lot of respect for this Vinicius, and the one who wins us games will come.”
Mourinho Also Defends Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe was another Madrid player who heard boos from the stands, but Mourinho once again refused to get drawn into judging the supporters’ reaction.
“I don’t comment on audience reactions,” he said.
Mourinho explained that when Mbappe left the pitch, he greeted him with a kiss as a gesture of respect for the effort he had given to the team.
For Mourinho, the reaction was less about individual performances and more about recognising the work players put in for the collective.
Trent Adapting to a New Role
Mourinho also discussed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance in midfield and praised the England international for his tactical understanding.
Trent was asked to operate in a different role and, despite giving the ball away on a few occasions, Mourinho felt he adapted well.
The manager pointed out that playing in midfield requires a different level and type of intensity compared with playing higher up the pitch.
“It’s not the same playing with the ball up front as in midfield,” Mourinho said.
Despite the difficulties, Mourinho was pleased with Trent’s commitment and praised him for giving everything to the team.
He also singled out Aurelien Tchouameni for special appreciation, noting the midfielder’s lack of recent training with the team before being called upon.
Mourinho Refuses to Be Drawn Into Fan Criticism
Mourinho once again declined to criticise the Madrid supporters over their reaction during the match.
He acknowledged that expectations at Real Madrid are different from almost anywhere else in football.
“It’s a great club, but Madrid is something else,” he said.
The Portuguese coach insisted that he was not angry with anyone and remained confident that his team would eventually reach the level expected of them.
Mourinho Calls Inter Italy’s Best Team
Despite beating Inter, Mourinho had plenty of praise for the Italian side.
He described Inter as clearly the strongest team in Italy and suggested that only Roma currently have the physical capacity to seriously challenge them.
Mourinho also praised Inter coach Cristian Chivu, pointing out that the Romanian manager has not been in the job for very long but could still achieve something special.
The same, Mourinho noted, applies to himself at Madrid.
“This is just the beginning of my job; there’s still a long way to go,” he said.
For Mourinho, Tuesday’s victory was therefore more than just another three points. It was a sign of progress, even if the performance still left plenty of room for improvement.
With Vinicius working to rediscover his best form, Trent adapting to a new role and Mourinho still shaping his team, Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Inter could prove to be an important step in what promises to be a fascinating season.
