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José Mourinho asks Vinícius Jr for "great control

Mourinho came to the defense of Vinícius Jr, asking him for greater emotional control in the face of provocations, after the Brazilian was shown yellow in Real Madrid's triumph against Espanyol.

25 August 2026
José Mourinho asks Vinícius Jr for "great control

José Mourinho asks Vinícius Jr for "great control

According to Bbc.

Why this matters

As Vinícius Jr continues to be the target of provocations on the field, José Mourinho's defense highlights the need for greater emotional control on the part of the player. This situation not only affects the striker's individual performance, but can also have a significant impact on the outcome of Real Madrid's La Liga matches. Vinícius' ability to deal with pressure and provocations will be crucial to the team's success this season.

Main conclusions

  • José Mourinho asks Vinícius Jr for "great control.
  • Mourinho came to the defense of Vinícius Jr, asking him for greater emotional control in the face of provocations, after the Brazilian was shown yellow in Real Madrid's triumph against Espanyol.
  • Real Madrid: Jose Mourinho says Vinicius Jr must show control to handle bullying - BBC Sport.

José Mourinho defended Vinícius Júnior and asked the Real Madrid forward for “great emotional control” to deal with what he describes as constant bullying from opponents and stands. The statements come in the wake of the Merengues' 2-1 victory over Espanyol, in the opening round of La Liga, a game in which the Brazilian international received an avoidable yellow card in the first half after a disagreement with midfielder Cala.

“Vini is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much”, said the Portuguese coach, highlighting that the winger is provoked “from the first minute” and that the pattern “is repeated” against practically all teams. For Mourinho, emotional management will be crucial: "It's frustrating for him. He needs to have great emotional control."

The coach, who was speaking after his first official game in this second spell on the Real Madrid bench, also revealed advice given to the player at half-time, focused even on moments of celebration: he asked him to be careful in the way he reacts to a possible goal to avoid fueling negative responses from the stands and so that he could keep him on the field until the end. "We live in a social anti-bullying era. With Vini, it seems that we are still in the era of bullying, whether from opponents or the public. We have to educate and prepare him as much as possible", he stressed.

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Throughout his eight years at Real Madrid, Vinícius has been the frequent target of insults and provocations, on and off the field. Mourinho even recalled a recent episode, which occurred on a night when he himself was on the bench at Benfica, when Gianluca Prestianni was accused of making racist insults to the Brazilian — something that the Argentine denied. The Portuguese coach stressed that, regardless of the context, the club and the technical team have the responsibility to protect the athlete and work with him on the emotional response at play.

The victory over Espanyol marked a positive start for the Spanish champions, but the warning to Vinícius once again exposed a theme that has accompanied the Canarian international's career: the fine line between playing at the limit and losing your head in the face of incessant pressure. For Mourinho, the key will be finding the balance between the combativeness that makes him decisive and the serenity that keeps him focused on the essentials — helping Real Madrid win.

In a season that is expected to be long and demanding, the Portuguese coach made it clear that the dressing room is mobilized to support Vinícius. The objective, he assures, is to shield the player from provocations that seek to take him off his game and, at the same time, provide him with the tools to react coolly. In Madrid, the message remained: Vini Jr “is ours” and will be protected, but he also needs to lead by example through self-control, on and off the pitch.

What happens next

With Mourinho's guidance, Vinícius Jr is expected to work on his emotional management to minimize the impact of opponent provocations. Real Madrid's next challenge in La Liga will be an opportunity for the player to demonstrate this evolution and contribute decisively to the team. The way Vinícius reacts to future pressure situations could influence not only his performance, but also the dynamics of the group throughout the season.

Frequently asked questions

What was the result of the game between Real Madrid and Espanyol?

Real Madrid beat Espanyol 2-1.

How does the result of the game impact the La Liga table?

Real Madrid's triumph in the opening round of La Liga contributes to a good starting position in the table.

Who is the player mentioned dealing with bullying on the field?

The player mentioned is Vinícius Júnior.

What is Real Madrid's next game in La Liga?

Real Madrid's next game in La Liga there

nda was not mentioned in the article.

What did José Mourinho say about Vinícius Júnior?

José Mourinho asked Vinícius Júnior to exercise great emotional control to deal with the bullying he faces on the pitch.

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