Jose Mourinho Defends Vinicius Junior After Bernabeu Whistles During Real Madrid’s Win Over Inter

Jose Mourinho came to the defense of Vinicius Junior after the Real Madrid winger faced boos from his own supporters during a narrow 2-1 Champions League victory against Inter Milan at the Bernabeu.

Although Real Madrid secured all three points with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde, the mood soured late as fans expressed frustration when Vinicius was substituted in the 87th minute. The Brazilian forward struggled to break down Inter's tough defense, leading to whistles from the home crowd.

Mourinho's Take on Vinicius' Performance

After the match, Mourinho admitted that Vinicius is not currently at his peak but praised his defensive work and effort throughout the game. He attributed some of the winger's late-game struggles to fatigue.

"He isn’t at his best, and he knows it," Mourinho said. "But he’s working hard to be the Vinicius who decides games. Even when he’s not at his best, he’s giving more effort than ever."

"In the moments he couldn’t track back and defend, it was because of tiredness. I respect this Vinicius a lot. The time will come when he wins us games."

Mourinho also highlighted the tactical challenge posed by Inter’s wing-back setup, which made life difficult for the Madrid wingers.

"If he works, he’ll always have my support," Mourinho added. "Playing against a team with three at the back and wing-backs is tough for wingers. With the one-on-ones he had on the left, if he was at his best, he could have decided the game. But he gave everything."

Struggles and Squad Challenges

The boos reflect a difficult period for Vinicius, who has faced intense scrutiny from fans after a tough 2025-26 season. Although he committed his future to Real Madrid over the summer, his start to this campaign has been slow, tallying just one goal and two assists in five appearances.

The Inter match also showed deeper problems for Mourinho’s squad. Suspensions sidelined Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga, forcing Mourinho to play Trent Alexander-Arnold out of position in central midfield.

"It’s hard for Trent," Mourinho explained. "I appreciate his effort, but playing full-back and central midfield are physically very different. He lost the ball a few times because the demands are unlike anything he's used to. He did what he could."

Looking Ahead: Vinicius’ Chance to Impress

Real Madrid return to La Liga action with a Madrid derby against Rayo Vallecano this Saturday. That match offers Vinicius an immediate chance to regain trust from the demanding Bernabeu crowd.

After the international break, Madrid will visit Rome to face Serie A side Roma. This fixture marks another reunion for Mourinho against a former club as Los Blancos aim to build on their Champions League opening win.

Upcoming fixtures:

• 12 Sept 2026, 21:00: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano (La Liga)
• 14 Sept 2026, 20:45: Udinese vs Inter (Serie A)