Jose Mourinho blasts 'bullying era' of Vinicius Jr as Real Madrid boss marks return with dramatic win
Mourinho returns to the Bernabeu dugout
Thirteen years after his initial departure, Mourinho made his highly anticipated return to the Real Madrid technical area on Saturday evening. The Portuguese tactician, who led Los Blancos to a La Liga title and a Copa del Rey during his first stint between 2010 and 2013, saw his side secure a dramatic 2-1 victory over Espanyol.
However, the post-match discourse was dominated by the treatment of Vinicius Junior, who was involved in several heated exchanges with opponents and the home crowd. The Brazilian was booked for a dispute with Alex Calatrava after being denied what appeared to be a clear foul early on.
The Special One slams 'bullying' culture
Speaking in his post-match conference, Mourinho did not hold back when asked about the constant provocations aimed at Vinicius. The manager outlined a specific tactical approach he believes teams are using to unsettle the star.
"Vini isn't a saint, but what people do to him is too much," Mourinho said. "It started in the first minute. It's something that has a format, one opponent after another after another, 'I foul him, then you foul him, if I have a yellow card, you do it ...'
Mourinho elaborated on the psychological toll this takes on the player, drawing a sharp contrast with modern social values. He added: "It's a frustration for him. He has to have great emotional control. I said to [Vini] that even if you score a goal, be careful how you celebrate, to stay on the pitch. It's tough.
"We're in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini, we're still in the bullying era, whether it's from opponents or from the public."
Bellingham shines in advanced role
Beyond the controversy, Mourinho was full of praise for Jude Bellingham, who returned to the starting lineup following his exploits with England at the 2026 World Cup. The coach admitted he had selection dilemmas regarding the midfielder's fitness but was ultimately delighted with his contribution.
"When we talk about the best players in the world, Madrid have a lot, and these three [Bellingham, Vinicius, and Kylian Mbappe] had a big impact at the World Cup," Mourinho noted when discussing his attacking riches.
"I had doubts whether to start [Bellingham] or bring him on," Mourinho continued. "I don't know if I did the right thing starting him, but physically and mentally he's very strong. For me this is his position, with his connection with the forwards, he can score goals. He has to play close to the goal. Playing at No. 6 or No. 8, we're losing his closeness to the goal. I like this Jude."
Focus turns to the Bernabeu return
The victory provides a perfect platform for Mourinho as he prepares for his official homecoming at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are set to host Real Sociedad on Wednesday in what promises to be an emotional night for the manager and the Madridistas.
