Real Madrid left winger Vinicius Junior can be a mercurial talent, but there is no question that the Brazilian superstar can be the best player in the world on his day. He already was during the 2023/24 Champions League campaign when the Merengues won it all, turning German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund into saw dust at his feet - not to mention what he did to Manchester City icon Kyle Walker, too.
But while Vinicius has still been good these last two seasons since Kylian Mbappe's arrival, he hasn't been great. And as Real Madrid fans have turned their backs on the club legend, his performances have become more volatile and less consistent, including from an effort stand point.
Vinicius Jr. nearly walked away from Real Madrid this summer transfer window to become the new face of Arsenal, but Jose Mourinho was wisely able to push the club into a comrpomise. Florentino Perez hired Mourinho, in part, to get the most out of the superstars, get Mbappe and Vini on the same page, and make sure they stay around long term and actually win for this project.
Vinicius Junior is about to go to war for Jose Mourinho
Mourinho is the master of the media, especially when he first arrives at the club, and the legendary Real Madrid manager had the perfect words to back Vinicius Junior to the fullest when speaking to Jose Pedrelol on El Chiringuito.
He said, via the Madrid Zone, “Is Vinicius Jr. protected? Not at all. They don’t respect him enough. They must learn to. Why whistle one of the best in the world from his first touch when he has done nothing to you? Watching him play is a privilege.”
Obviously, Real Madrid fans will say cynically that they hope it lasts, but it is still beautiful to see this sort of support from Mourinho for Vini. Like Mourinho, Vinicius is someone who will give his all to a club to win, but he needs to feel supported and loved.
Xabi Alonso was too cold and calculating, and Vinicius felt ostracized, so the realtionship turned south. And Madridistas have wondered, somewhere in the back of their minds, if Vinicius Jr. felt the same way about the club during the contract negotiations before Jose Mourinho stepped in to essentially save the day.
By backing Vini to the fullest and telling everyone they need to appreciate him, Mou just guaranteed Vini will go to war for him.
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