Jose Mourinho has defended Vinicius Junior after the Real Madrid forward was involved in several confrontations during Saturday’s 2-1 victory at Espanyol, saying the Brazilian is being subjected to excessive treatment by opponents and supporters.
Vinicius was involved in an early incident with Alex Calatrava after appearing to be fouled without the Espanyol player being penalised. The pair later clashed again, with Vinicius receiving a yellow card during the dispute.
“Vini isn’t a saint, but what people do to him is too much,” Mourinho said in defence of his winger. “It started in the first minute. It’s something that has a format, one opponent after another after another, ‘I foul him, then you foul him, if I have a yellow card, you do it.’
“It’s a frustration for him. He has to have great emotional control. I said to him that even if you score a goal, be careful how you celebrate, to stay on the pitch.
He added: “We’re in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini, we’re still in the bullying era, whether it’s from opponents or from the public.
Madrid nevertheless left with three points after Carlos Espi scored in the 90th minute to settle a game in which Jude Bellingham had put the visitors ahead before Calatrava equalised.
The result gave Mourinho a winning start to his second spell at Real, 13 years after his first tenure ended. The Portuguese won the Spanish league and Copa del Rey during his previous three-year spell.
Bellingham was also a key part of the victory after returning to pre-season training only last week following his involvement with England at the World Cup. Mourinho admitted he had considered leaving the midfielder out before deciding to start him.
“I don’t know if I did the right thing starting him, but physically and mentally he’s very strong,” Mourinho said.
The manager also made clear where he wants Bellingham to operate, arguing that the England international is most effective when he is close to the opposition goal.
“For me this is his position, with his connection with the forwards, he can score goals,” Mourinho said. “He has to play close to the goal. Playing at No. 6 or No. 8, we’re losing his closeness to the goal. I like this Jude.”
