José Mourinho defends Vinícius Júnior amid Real Madrid fan criticism

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has publicly defended Vinícius Júnior following jeers from fans at the Santiago Bernabéu during a Champions League victory over Inter Milan. Despite the 2-1 win, the Brazilian winger faced criticism for a perceived lack of offensive impact, though Mourinho highlighted his increased defensive contributions, noting he has set records for ball recoveries in the defensive third.

Mourinho used a Portuguese proverb to address the crowd's discontent, stating, “People only throw stones at trees that bear fruit,” emphasizing that Vinícius’s past achievements justify the high expectations. The manager expressed confidence that the player's clinical form will return, noting he is currently working harder than ever.

The squad is also navigating tactical adjustments to balance high-profile attackers including Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Mourinho praised Mbappé’s defensive work rate and predicted he will be a top scorer in the Champions League, comparing his talent level to that of Ronaldo Nazário. While the team has shown high offensive volume, they have also faced scrutiny for inefficiency in converting chances compared to rivals like Barcelona.