Jose Mourinho has delivered a passionate defense of Vinicius Jr., revealing the personal role he played in convincing the Brazilian winger to extend his contract with Real Madrid while sharply criticizing match referees and opposition supporters for their treatment of the star.
Real Madrid officially put an end to months of transfer speculation on August 6, 2026, by announcing a new contract extension for Vinicius Jr. through June 2032, securing one of the club’s cornerstone players for Mourinho’s second managerial spell at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with El Chiringuito, the Portuguese manager disclosed his direct intervention: “I called Vinicius and asked him: ‘Where do you want to go? You only know Real Madrid. When you leave, you will realize the true value of Real Madrid. Don’t go—it’s not worth it.'”
Mourinho expressed full confidence in the winger’s commitment, noting that the squad’s evolution and daily working environment gave Vinicius the confidence needed to seal his long-term future in Madrid.
Addressing the persistent hostility Vinicius faces on the pitch—including abusive chants and notable racial abuse incidents, such as the May 2023 Mestalla match against Valencia that led to judicial convictions for three fans—Mourinho dismissed claims that the player needs to alter his behavior.
“I think others need to learn how to treat him, and I am also talking about the referees,” Mourinho stated. “You cannot award a penalty for certain players and then refuse to call the exact same foul when it involves Vinicius. Referees do not respect him.”
While acknowledging that Vinicius could refine his goal celebrations when facing away crowds, Mourinho firmly rejected the idea that the player’s demeanor justifies pre-match hostility. “Why do fans at a stadium he has never played in whistle him from his very first touch? Watching Vinicius play is a privilege.”
Mourinho also revisited the controversial incident involving Gianluca Prestianni during the Benfica vs. Real Madrid UEFA Champions League match in February 2026. Vinicius had accused the Argentine player of racial abuse, leading to a ten-minute stoppage and a UEFA investigation.
Addressing criticism over his initial reaction while managing Benfica, Mourinho clarified that Prestianni’s career under him would have ended had guilt been proven, though he maintained the necessity of upholding the presumption of innocence until investigations concluded.
“Prestianni was my player at the time, and I will always defend my players,” Mourinho explained, adding that his relationship with Vinicius is now stronger than ever at Real Madrid. “Vinicius knows which side I am on now. He knows he can rely on me and that I will always stand by him.”
