Mourinho Defends Vinicius Jr. Amid Fan Criticism, Promises Better Performance Ahead
Mourinho Stands by Vinicius Jr.
Real Madrid's head coach, Jose Mourinho, has come out in support of star player Vinicius Jr. following negative reactions from fans. He emphasized that Vinicius's best performances are still to come, likening him to a fruitful tree that attracts stones from those who desire its bounty. Mourinho made these remarks before the upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Vinicius faced criticism from fans after a lackluster display during Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League, where he failed to score or assist. This season, he has netted just one goal in five matches.
A Tree Bearing Plenty of Fruit
In his comments, Mourinho referenced a Portuguese saying, stating, "You only throw stones at trees that bear fruit." He highlighted Vinicius's past achievements, including his Champions League victories and numerous goals, asserting that his contributions are significant. "He is a tree bearing plenty of fruit, and the best Vinicius is yet to come," Mourinho remarked.
He also recalled Vinicius's impressive performance against Benfica in the previous UEFA Champions League, where he scored two goals in the playoff rounds. Mourinho noted, "The Vinicius we saw last year, when the Bernabéu was electrified against Benfica, is the one we are yet to see again. He is close to reaching his peak performance, having set new records for high-intensity runs and ball recoveries."
Unity Between Fans and Team
Mourinho expressed his desire for fans to support both the team and Vinicius, stating that such unity can lead to greater success. "It saddens me when players are booed, but I refrain from judgment. From my experience, a strong bond between the team and the stadium can be nearly unbeatable. When we work together with the fans, we become formidable," he explained.
Mourinho on Mbappe's Commitment
Mourinho also weighed in on Kylian Mbappe's recent criticism regarding his defensive efforts, agreeing that a player who consistently scores 40 goals a season should not be viewed as a liability. He praised Mbappe's contributions, noting, "Kylian is correct: a player who scores 40 goals annually isn't a problem. He, too, is a tree full of fruit. I've seen him drop back to assist teammates under pressure, which I greatly appreciate. We share a commitment to making Madrid successful and will strive to please our fans."