Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has reacted positively to Jose Mourinho’s return as head coach after completing his second training session under the Portuguese manager.
“Mourinho wants me as I have always been,” Vinicius Junior said, as he expressed his enthusiasm for the new season at Real Madrid.
Mourinho has returned to the Spanish club for a second spell after Real Madrid ended the 2025-26 campaign without a trophy. His appointment marks the beginning of a new period for the club, with the manager now overseeing preparations for the season ahead.
Vinicius Junior has only recently rejoined the squad after representing Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The forward scored four goals at the tournament before Brazil, five-time world champions, were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.
After taking part in his second training session under Mourinho, Vinicius Junior spoke to Real Madrid’s media team about the manager’s arrival and his expectations for the campaign. His comments offered a positive assessment of the early stages of Mourinho’s return.
The forward’s return to club training comes as speculation continues over a possible move to Arsenal. Despite that uncertainty surrounding his future, Vinicius Junior spoke with enthusiasm about beginning the new season under Mourinho at Real Madrid.
Mourinho’s second spell at the club follows a trophyless campaign and gives him the task of leading Real Madrid into the next phase of their development. His first focus will be preparing the squad, including players returning from international duty, for the new season.
Vinicius Junior’s participation in training represents his return to the club after Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended in the round of 16. He scored four times for Brazil before Norway ended their tournament.
The forward’s comments came at the earliest stage of Mourinho’s renewed tenure, after only two training sessions together. They also came while reports about a potential transfer to Arsenal continued to circulate.
For now, Vinicius Junior has indicated that he is looking forward to working with Mourinho and starting the new campaign at Real Madrid. The Portuguese manager’s appointment, following the club’s failure to win a trophy in 2025-26, has created a fresh backdrop for the forward’s next season.
