Jose Mourinho Defends Vinicius Junior After Bernabeu Fans Boo During Real Madrid’s Win Over Inter

Jose Mourinho came to the defense of Vinicius Junior after the Real Madrid forward was booed by the home crowd during their narrow 2-1 Champions League win against Serie A champions Inter Milan at the Bernabeu.

The Brazilian winger was substituted late in the match and faced whistles from supporters unhappy with his performance. Although Real Madrid secured all three points, the atmosphere grew tense as fans showed frustration with Vinicius’ lack of impact against a tough Italian defense.

Match Highlights and Fan Reaction

• Scorers: Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde netted for Madrid
• Final Score: Real Madrid 2 - 1 Inter
• Substitution: Vinicius Junior taken off in the 87th minute
• Fan Response: Whistles from Bernabeu crowd aimed at Vinicius

The forward struggled to break through Inter’s resilient backline and couldn’t find his usual sharpness on the pitch.

Mourinho’s Comments on Vinicius’ Form

Speaking to the media after the game, Mourinho acknowledged that Vinicius is not currently at his peak but praised his defensive work rate and effort throughout the match. The coach suggested fatigue played a role in his subdued performance.

"He isn’t at his best, and he knows it," Mourinho said. "But he’s working hard to be the Vinicius who decides games. Even when not at his best, he’s putting in more effort than ever."

"When he couldn’t drop back to defend, it was because he was tired. I respect this Vinicius a lot. The time will come when he wins us games."

Mourinho also pointed out the tactical difficulties posed by Inter’s wing-back setup, explaining how it made life challenging for wingers like Vinicius.

"If he keeps working, he’ll always have my support. He gave everything against a team playing with three at the back and wing-backs. In the one-on-ones he had, at his best, he’d have killed the game," Mourinho added.

Ongoing Challenges for Vinicius and Real Madrid

This incident adds to a tough spell for Vinicius. After a difficult 2025-26 season filled with criticism from Madrid fans, he renewed his contract over the summer. His start to the new campaign has been underwhelming by his own standards, with just one goal and two assists in five appearances.

The match against Inter also exposed some squad issues for Mourinho. With suspensions sidelining Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga, Mourinho had to field Trent Alexander-Arnold out of position in central midfield.

"It’s tough for Trent," Mourinho said. "I appreciate his effort, but the physical demands and roles between full-back and central midfield are very different. He lost the ball a few times because it’s not the same to play with the whole field ahead or behind you. He did what he could."

Vinicius’ Chance to Win Back Fans

Vinicius faces a challenge to regain the Bernabeu’s confidence as Real Madrid prepare for domestic action. They will host Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Saturday, giving the Brazilian a chance to impress the home crowd once again.

After the international break, Real Madrid will travel to Rome to face Serie A giants Roma. This fixture comes shortly after their victory over Mourinho’s former club Inter, adding an intriguing subplot as Madrid aim to build on their positive start to the Champions League group stage.

Upcoming fixtures:

• La Liga: Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano, 12 Sept 2026, 21:00
• Serie A: Udinese vs Inter, 14 Sept 2026, 20:45