José Mourinho admitted Vinícius Júnior “isn’t at his best,” but praised the star forward’s work rate after he was whistled once again by fans at the Bernabéu during Real Madrid’s 2-1 Champions League win over Inter on Tuesday.
Vinícius was singled out for criticism by the crowd as he was substituted in the 87th minute, as goals from Kylian Mbappé and Federico Valverde gave Madrid all three points in their first European game of the campaign.
The Brazil international signed a new long-term contract at the Bernabéu this summer, committing his future to the club after a difficult 2025-26 season which saw him frequently whistled by fans disappointed by his performances.
“He isn’t at his best, and he knows it,” Mourinho said in his postmatch news conference on Tuesday. “But he’s working hard to be the Vinícius who decides games. Without being at his best, he’s working harder than ever.
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“In the moments that he wasn’t able to drop back and defend, it was because of fatigue.
“I have to value that a lot. I have a lot of respect for this Vinícius. The time will come when he decides games, and wins us games.”
In five appearances for Madrid so far this season, Vinícius has scored one goal and provided two assists, but was unable to provide a cutting edge against Inter.
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“If he works, he’ll always have my support,” Mourinho said. “He worked very hard for the team. Playing against a side that plays with three at the back, with wing-backs, it’s very hard for the wingers.
“Obviously with the one-on-ones he had on the left wing, with Vini at his best, he’d kill the game. That’s what we expect of him. But he gave everything.”
Mourinho also praised the efforts of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who played out of position in central midfield, with Madrid without Bernardo Silva, Arda Güler and Eduardo Camavinga through suspension, and Aurélien Tchouaméni only fit enough to start on the bench.
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“It’s hard for Trent,” Mourinho said. “I appreciate the effort he made, but with his characteristics, the specificity needed to play full-back or central midfield, it’s completely different physically.
“He had some losses of the ball, because it’s not the same playing with the whole field in front of you, and playing with half the field behind you. He’s played there a few times with Liverpool and the national team, but, it’s completely different.
“He didn’t have more to give.”
