Overview
- Sections of the Santiago Bernabéu whistled at Vinícius Júnior and at times Kylian Mbappé during Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan, prompting concern inside the club.
- José Mourinho used a Portuguese proverb to defend the players and said on Friday that Vinícius is “not at his best” while praising his work-rate and promising his backing.
- An unnamed senior team figure told Mourinho the dressing room is worried about Vinícius and said “we have to make him happy again,” showing internal pressure to protect the winger.
- Statistically Vinícius has one goal and two assists in five appearances this season but produced nine ball recoveries against Inter, highlighting a gap between his defensive work and fan expectations for goals.
- Mourinho said the squad is united, hinted at fresh energy and selective changes because of a packed fixture list, and framed his approach as tactical integration rather than public fracture.