"Still in the bullying phase": Jose Mourinho reveals explosive message to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho backed his attacking star Vinicius Junior after the 2-1 win at Espanyol Barcelona in their LaLiga opener, while also revealing the clear demand he has made of the Brazilian.
"He has to show a lot of emotional restraint. I spoke to him and told him: 'If you score a goal, then pay attention to how you celebrate it,'" Mourinho explained after Saturday evening's match, when tensions between the Espanyol home fans and Vinicius were repeatedly clear whenever he was involved.
The Brazil international is regularly targeted by opposing supporters in Real's away games. Mourinho's demand carries extra weight because he has an inglorious history with Vinicius: during the racism scandal in the Champions League match between Real and Benfica in February, Mourinho, then still in charge of the Portuguese side, had partly blamed Vini for the racist abuse directed at him.
"Something is not right, because it happens in every stadium. In a stadium where Vinicius plays, something always happens," Mourinho said at the time on Amazon Prime Video in reference to Vinicius' provocative celebration in front of the Benfica fans after his winning goal for 1-0.
Jose Mourinho backs Vinicius Junior: "Now he is my player"
"Now Vini is my player. Vini is no saint, but what they do to him is too much," Mourinho stressed after the narrow win at the start of the league season. "It starts in the very first minute. I think there is a certain pattern behind it, something that repeats itself from one opponent to the next."
Having replaced Alvaro Arbeloa in Madrid this summer, Mourinho added: "We are in a social era of anti-bullying. With Vini, we are still in the bullying phase, whether from the opposition or from the crowd. We have to educate him as well as possible and prepare him for it as well as possible."
On the pitch, Saturday evening was not especially convincing for Vinicius, with the superstar rarely making his mark. Jude Bellingham had given Real an early lead, but Espanyol equalised after half an hour through Cala. Then, in the 90th minute, new signing and substitute Carlos Espi struck the 2-1 winner for Los Blancos.
After two disappointing seasons, Mourinho, who was already on the touchline at the Bernabeu from 2010 to 2013, is expected to lead Real back to their former glory. He can count fully on Vinicius, who recently reaffirmed his commitment to the Madrid club after persistent rumours of a departure and an alleged record offer from Arsenal. At the start of August, the Selecao star signed a new long-term contract until 2032.
