Vinicius Junior Discovers His Ultimate Weapon: Jose Mourinho Steps Up as His Strongest Ally

Jose Mourinho is well aware of just how crucial Vinícius Júnior is to Real Madrid's chances of winning silverware this season.

After going trophyless throughout 2025–26, the 15-time Champions League champions are desperately counting on Mourinho to prevent Barcelona from clinching a third consecutive La Liga title—a feat Barcelona appear heavily favored to achieve, especially following their dominant opening-day victory over Elche.

Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and several new arrivals will be central to Madrid's ambitions. Yet few players can swing a match quite like Vinícius Jr when he's at his very best.

The Brazilian appeared to flirt with the idea of leaving Real Madrid over the summer before ultimately signing a new six-year deal with the club. He can now allow his football to speak for itself, hitting early-season stride to give Mourinho a strong start. One thing he'll need from his boss, however, is backing.

Spanish outlet MARCA reports that this is precisely what Mourinho is already providing Vinícius Jr. It's claimed the manager has privately assured the winger that he will shield him from criticism throughout the campaign—on-pitch confrontations with La Liga rivals are expected to resurface as opponents attempt to get under his skin—and that he wants his star man relaxed and fully focused on performing.

Mourinho has already voiced his public support for Vinícius Jr, declaring after the 2–1 victory over Espanyol in Madrid's La Liga opener that the Brazilian had been subjected to "orchestrated bullying," and he remains sharply conscious of the need to protect him from criticism, including from those who once wore the club's iconic white jersey.

Former Real Madrid Player Viciously Attacks Vinícius Jr

There's no question that at his peak, Vinícius Jr ranks among the finest players on the planet. However, for former Real Madrid goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares, the winger's ability on the field is overshadowed by the relentless controversy and scrutiny that surrounds him.

In Cañizares's view, this situation essentially forced Real Madrid's hand in extending his contract, as he believes no other club would have been willing to take on a player of his profile.

"There was a big debate this summer," Cañizares recently said (via COPE.) "He had one year left on his deal—should they sell him or not, weighing what he [Vinícius Jr] contributes on the pitch against what he costs off it. You know what happened? Nobody wanted him.

"No club wants a player like that. I believe he received no offers whatsoever. Real Madrid were essentially forced to renew him because no other team even reached out to him or his representatives—nobody wants a player with those kinds of characteristics."

It was a heated outburst, though not entirely accurate given widespread reports that Arsenal had been willing to make Vinícius Jr one of the Premier League's highest earners. This kind of attack is something Vinícius Jr regularly faces, and one that Mourinho appears determined to shield him from.

Mourinho's Mission for Vinícius Jr

The debate around Vinícius Jr has always been present, but it has intensified considerably over the past two seasons—coincidentally, the same two years in which Real Madrid have fallen short of winning any major honours.

The 26-year-old has little left to prove at the Bernabéu. He played a pivotal role in the club's last two Champions League triumphs, and a strong argument could be made that he deserved to claim the 2024 Ballon d'Or over Rodri.

Now, however, those glories feel like a distant past, and Mourinho appears intent on doing everything in his power to shift the current narrative and help Vinícius Jr recapture his finest form. The Brazilian has always performed at his peak when brimming with confidence, enjoying himself with the full support of his teammates and manager. By all indications, that is precisely the atmosphere Mourinho is committed to creating.