‘I would never…’ – Mourinho sends clear message over Vinicius future

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has mounted a defence of Vinicius Junior amid increasing speculation over the Brazil international attacker’s future at the Bernabeu.

Although Vini Jr signed a new contract in the summer, he has struggled to justify a new deal that stretches until 2032.

There had been misgivings from many critics over the wisdom of the agreement given that the player had struggled for form in the months leading up to the agreement, and had been linked with a summer move to Arsenal.

The defence that Vini’s supporters gave circled largely around the uncertainty over his future, but having been handed a fresh six-year contract, he has thus far failed to deliver.

He has scored only one goal in 12 games. Mourinho appeared to show his support for Vinicius by handing him the captain's armband for Wednesday's trip to AEK Athens, but the Brazilian delivered a disappointing performance.

Mourinho has been questioned about that decision, with the implication that the Portuguese is hurting the team by persisting with Vinicius, who has been suspended in La Liga following a red card against Villarreal a month ago.

"The most important thing is the team. I would never, of my own free will, harm the team to benefit an individual player,” Mourinho said.

“We have been able to manage things this way in these two Champions League matches, but when we return to normality with Vinicius and he is available, I will manage things accordingly.

"I want the team to think one game at a time, but as a coach, I have to think about the sequence of matches we have ahead of us. Obviously, the game against AEK was one for Vinicius, while also giving a player like Arda Guler, who had been having problems, a rest.

"A coach must do everything possible to get his players performing at their highest level, while trying different tactical approaches and ways of managing individuals. You must always believe in a player's potential. A bad player will always be bad, no matter how hard you try. And a good player will remain good, regardless of how many difficult moments he goes through.

"If it hadn't been Vinicius, but an ordinary player, we would have considered the performance he produced in Athens a good one. He played well, not incredibly well. But because Vinicius is always expected to produce the version of himself that knocked me out of the Champions League last season, we have to keep working on every level.

"There is one thing that is very important to me: he has a good relationship with his team-mates, all of them, without exception. When it comes down to the important decisions, such as deciding who plays, the team must always come before any individual player.”

Just two years ago, Real Madrid were adamant that Vinicius should have beaten Rodri to win the Ballon d’Or, so his falling status is only highlighted by the fact that Mourinho has been forced to address his selection.

And tougher questions will be asked following the international break when his four-game ban is up.

Yan Diomande is Real Madrid’s most in-form left winger, with the €125 million summer arrival starting to justify his record transfer fee. Although the Ivorian has played on the right in the Champions League, pressure will build for him to feature in his more natural role if Vini continues to misfire.

Competition is building at the Bernabeu, and Vini needs to raise his game to win his spot back on merit. There is only so long Mourinho can shield him for, and while a January transfer is unlikely, the possibility of a move next summer is one that is growing with each passing match.