Mourinho urges Vinícius Júnior to manage crowd provocations
The Portuguese manager distinguishes between refereeing responsibilities and player conduct, suggesting the Brazilian forward can improve his dynamic with hostile fans.
José Mourinho has advised Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior to exercise greater control over his emotional responses to opposing supporters. Speaking on Tuesday ahead of Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad, the manager acknowledged that the Brazilian forward is frequently the subject of unfair targeting. However, Mourinho suggested that the player’s relationship with hostile crowds is an area where the team can actively work to improve.
The comments follow several incidents involving Vinícius and opposing fans or players during Real Madrid’s opening league match against Espanyol on Saturday. In that match, Madrid secured a 2-1 victory, marking Mourinho’s first game in charge during his second spell at the club. The Portuguese manager drew a clear line between in-game incidents and off-field interactions, stating that fouls and the accumulation of frustration are largely the responsibility of referees.
According to Mourinho, the primary role of officials is to protect players and the integrity of the game. He noted that while it is harder to manage in-game incidents, the forward’s reaction to fan insults is something the squad can address. Mourinho specified that typical fan provocations, excluding those that are racist or homophobic, are within the player’s capacity to control.
The manager described the current treatment of Vinícius as a "spiral," where opponents appear to know the limits of physical and verbal provocation they can employ with limited consequences. Mourinho expressed dissatisfaction with a system where yellow cards are shown only after multiple fouls, allowing for a degree of violence that he believes is not ideal.
Reflecting on his own conduct, Mourinho contrasted his current demeanor with his previous tenure at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and his time at Benfica. He described himself as calmer and having more control over his emotions in recent years. This self-assessment comes after last year, when Mourinho, then coaching Benfica, faced criticism for questioning Vinícius’ character following a racial insult accusation in a Champions League match.
Real Madrid will host Real Sociedad on Wednesday for their second league match of the season. Mourinho’s remarks highlight a strategic focus on player management and crowd dynamics as the club navigates the early stages of the campaign.
