Mourinho Says Vinicius Should Have Left Real Madrid

Overview

• Jose Mourinho told reporters on Sunday that, in Vinicius Jr.’s position last summer he probably would not have stayed at Real Madrid and that the winger might have benefited from a move to a club like Arsenal.
• Vinicius signed a long-term extension with Real Madrid that runs until 2032, a decision that ended heavy transfer links to Arsenal and other suitors.
• The winger has struggled for form this season, producing one goal and three assists in ten appearances, and sections of the Bernabéu have expressed growing frustration.
• Vinicius received a straight red card for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the match with Villarreal and was handed a combined four-match ban that rules him out of El Clásico and three other LaLiga fixtures.
• Mourinho also praised Vinicius’s loyalty and psychological strength, a stance that leaves Real Madrid balancing the player’s high profile and contract with on-field underperformance and short-term disciplinary disruption.