Jose Mourinho says he would have made Vinicius Junior leave Real Madrid last summer if he had been in the Brazil international’s position, seeking a club and league where the winger would be “respected”.
Vinicius was heavily linked with a move away from the Bernabeu during the latest summer transfer window after prolonged negotiations over a new contract.
Arsenal were prepared to pursue the winger if he failed to agree fresh terms with the Spanish club. The Premier League champions’ interest appeared to encourage Real Madrid to improve their offer, and Vinicius eventually signed a new six-year agreement that runs until at least 2032.
Speaking before Sunday’s match against Sevilla, which Vinicius will miss because he is serving a four-match La Liga suspension, Mourinho said he would have taken a different approach.
“If I were [Vinicius], in his place, I probably wouldn’t be here,” the Madrid boss said.
“Last summer I would have forced my exit to a league, to a country, to clubs and stadiums where they’d respect him. But because he’s a Madrid fan, he has love for the club and the city; he believes things can always improve; he renewed, and he’ll keep that smile.
“I think there’s nothing or no one that can take that away, that joy for living and working. He’s a great boy.”
Vinicius joined Real Madrid from Brazil in 2018 as an 18-year-old and has scored 129 goals in 385 appearances for the club.
Mourinho said the player’s decision to renew was driven by his attachment to Madrid, rather than a lack of alternatives.
“When he signed that contract, he signed it because Madrid is his home, and Real Madrid is his home,” he said.
“He’s one of the main sources of joy in that dressing room. What I said before was that I doubt I’d be able – as a player with lots of options – I doubt whether I’d be able to have his psychological strength to hold on.”
Vinicius has scored once and provided three assists this season. He featured in Real Madrid’s 4-3 victory over AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
He is expected to retain his place in the competition when Real Madrid face RB Leipzig on Wednesday, with Mourinho indicating that he intends to start the Brazilian.
“Right now the future of Vini is working more than those players who have to play every game,” Mourinho said.
“Without promising anything, I think on Wednesday [against RB Leipzig] he’ll start.”
