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Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho used his Tuesday press conference to renew his criticism of how Vinicius Junior is officiated, insisting there is a clear and obvious pattern in how the Brazilian is treated compared to other players on the pitch. He argued that referees allowing early fouls to go unpunished only encourages opponents to keep targeting him throughout matches.
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The comments follow an incident during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Espanyol on Saturday, when Vinicius went unprotected after an early kick from Alex Calatrava went unpunished by both the referee and VAR. Calatrava would later score for Espanyol before eventually picking up a booking for a separate clash with the Real Madrid winger.
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Mourinho did not let Vinicius entirely off the hook either, suggesting that while his on-field frustrations and reactions to fouls should be the referee’s responsibility to manage, his relationship with opposing crowds is something the player himself could look to improve going forward, drawing a clear line between the two issues.
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Real Madrid are set to host Real Sociedad on Wednesday in their first home fixture of the new season at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Mourinho also using the news conference to address transfer business, stating he considers his squad “closed” for the remainder of the summer window barring a significant departure or opportunity.
August 25, (THEWILL) — Jose Mourinho isn’t backing down on his stance that Vinicius Junior is getting a raw deal from referees, and he made that clear again on Tuesday, days after his star winger was on the receiving end of a rough afternoon at Espanyol.
“What I can say is, and it’s the same in friendlies, in games outside Spain, it’s obvious the difference in general between Vini and other players,” Mourinho told reporters. “There’s a dynamic, a spiral. Opponents feel that they can do it, and they do it. It seems obvious to me.”
The Real Madrid boss didn’t hold back on the comparison, either. “It’s like kids. Little kids go as far as you allow them to. With players, it’s the same. If the yellow card doesn’t arrive after 10 fouls, they think ‘I can be aggressive.'”
His frustration traces directly back to Saturday’s 2-1 win over Espanyol, where Vinicius was kicked early in the match by Alex Calatrava without so much as a whistle. Calatrava went on to score for Espanyol before later picking up a yellow card for a separate incident involving the Brazilian. For Mourinho, that sequence summed up the problem entirely.
“With the aggression on Vinícius, I understand that the referee didn’t see it,” he said. “And the fourth official didn’t want to make his own decision, which could be fundamental in the game. But we can say that the VAR didn’t do his job well.”
He was careful to frame his criticism as after-the-fact rather than a blanket distrust of officials going into matches. “Before each game, I believe always in the referee, whatever league I’m in. After the game, there are sometimes things I don’t like.”
That said, Mourinho wasn’t purely defensive of his player. Asked whether Vinicius himself has room to adjust his behaviour, the Portuguese coach separated two different issues entirely: how Vinicius is treated by officials during matches, and how he interacts with opposing fans.
“His relationship with the crowds not racism, but ‘normal’ insults I think that can improve,” Mourinho said. “But in terms of the game, kicks, penalties, frustration, I think that’s the responsibility of the ‘judge,’ the referee.” He went further, half-joking about his own playing days to make the point. “If I start the game and I get a kick, with my personality… it is probably a red card for me a minute later! The players have to be protected.”
Real Madrid now turn their attention to Wednesday’s home opener against Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu, the club’s first fixture in front of their own fans this season.
Mourinho also touched on the transfer window, indicating he doesn’t expect any further incoming business despite the market technically remaining open. Real Madrid have already made six signings this summer, all of whom featured in the win over Espanyol.
“For me, the squad is closed,” Mourinho said, though he stopped short of ruling anything out entirely. “But with the market open, you never know what could happen. A player comes and says they want to leave, ‘I’ve been on the bench for two games, and I want to go.’ It’s a thing that can happen. I don’t know, maybe the president, JAS, calls me saying we have an incredible offer for a player. But in my head, the squad is closed.”
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
