Jose Mourinho helped convince Vinicius Jr to remain at Real Madrid after telling the Brazil international that leaving the Spanish club was “not worth” it.
The 26-year-old was entering the final 12 months of his contract at the Bernabeu, leaving him free to depart next summer without a transfer fee. Arsenal, the reigning Premier League champions, had been monitoring the situation as negotiations over a new agreement continued.
However, Vinicius Jr committed his future to Real Madrid earlier this month by signing a six-year contract.
Mourinho, 63, whose return to Real Madrid for a second spell as manager was confirmed in June, has now described the role he played in persuading the winger to stay in the Spanish capital.
Speaking on Spanish television programme El Chiringuito, Mourinho said: “Vinicius has fallen in love with Real Madrid.
“The only thing I told him was: ‘Vini, where do you want to go? You’ve only been in Brazil and you only know Real Madrid. You only understand Real Madrid when you leave. When you leave that’s when you realise what Real Madrid is. Don’t leave. It’s not worth it.’
“I think what he has felt in terms of the group’s growth, the way we’ve been working and developing, has given him a very important feeling.”
Mourinho faced Real Madrid three times in the Champions League last season while in charge of Benfica.
The second of those matches, the first leg of a knockout phase play-off, was halted for about eight minutes after Real Madrid players alleged that Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni had racially abused Vinicius Jr.
Prestianni denied the allegation, while Mourinho defended his player. Uefa subsequently suspended Prestianni for three matches, with a further three matches suspended, for homophobic conduct.
Mourinho said Vinicius Jr could count on his support during the dispute.
“Prestianni was my player. That’s it. There’s no debate. If Prestianni is my player, 20 players can come at me and I’m still with Prestianni. End of story,” he said.
“I think Vini now knows what side I am now on and knows he can look me in the eye and rely on me to be on his side.”
Mourinho explains Rodri doubts
Real Madrid are attempting to return to the top after going two years without major silverware, and Spain captain Rodri had been identified as a potential addition to help them do so.
Rodri was entering the final year of his Manchester City contract and had previously indicated that he wanted to return to Spain at some stage of his career. Real Madrid and Barcelona both pursued the midfielder.
Rodri ultimately joined La Liga champions Barcelona in a deal worth £65m. Mourinho said the player’s uncertainty during discussions made him question whether the move was right for Real Madrid.
“We talked a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a good offer. Rodri had doubts and his doubts made me doubtful,” Mourinho said.
“He is a remarkable player and he behaved correctly at all times with us but the scale of Real Madrid is that you can’t have players here who think twice about coming.
“I wish him well. Not too well, obviously. But I wish him well.”
Rodri won the Golden Ball at the 2026 World Cup.
Mourinho says experience has changed him
Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
After a further 13 years and spells in charge of Manchester United, Tottenham and Inter Milan, the Portuguese manager believes he has returned to Madrid as a calmer and more measured coach.
He said his approach is now “more controlled, less emotional”, although he rejected the idea that he had become less entertaining or lost the character that has defined his career.
“Obviously, I can’t hide or try to be something I’m not. I’m much more mature, less emotional and more controlled.
“As always, I learn from mistakes. But I don’t regret this or that, because I don’t think regretting something that has happened helps anything in life.
“Learning from experiences does. In this job as a coach, I think the more experience you have, the more deja vu you have, the better you become.
“That’s not to say I’m more boring. I have the same DNA.”
