Mourinho: If I Were in Vinicius's Shoes, I Would Have Asked to Leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid have weathered two grueling fixtures against Villarreal and Roma, emerging victorious on both occasions but not without significant strain. Los Blancos continue their demanding schedule by hosting Sevilla on Sunday evening, with El Clásico against Barcelona looming next weekend. In between, a high-stakes Champions League showdown with RB Leipzig awaits on Wednesday. Amid all this, Real Madrid find themselves embroiled in another dispute with the La Liga president, compounded by Vinicius Junior's suspension. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, manager Jose Mourinho addressed several controversies and voiced his displeasure with the media in characteristic style. Here is what 'The Special One' had to say.

What is your assessment of Sevilla?
Sevilla are a strong side. Even in the matches they've lost, they've competed on equal terms. They are always combative away from home, and Luis Garcia is doing an excellent job. It's going to be a very difficult match, but we are playing to win.

How would you evaluate the physical condition of your squad?
The players are fatigued, but they won't be against Sevilla. Based on what the medical staff have told me today, there is some tiredness, but we will be ready. We also have fantastic options if we decide to rotate and inject fresh energy into the team.

How do you handle Vinicius's temperament?
He is an incredible lad, and it is very easy to build a great relationship with him. I spend one-on-one time with him every single day. I value him immensely because he always faces adversity with a smile. If I were in his position, I probably wouldn't stay here. I would have pushed to leave for a country where I am respected. Yet, out of his deep love and affection for Real Madrid, he chose to stay. He believes things can improve and keeps smiling. Nothing and no one can take that smile away from him.

What disappointed you about his reaction during Roma's second goal?
I'd like to ask a lighthearted question out of curiosity: does anyone actually care what time we arrive at Valdebebas or when we leave? It's quite amusing.

Vinicius had a very tough game. In my view, Gasperini was largely responsible for that by constantly attacking down his flank. As a coach, making tactical adjustments in-game was challenging. Roma changed their approach in the second half, and what frustrated me about the second goal was the nature of the situation itself. The score was level, and we were in complete control. He shouldn't have reacted like that, but it is in the past now, and there is no reason to make a drama out of it.

I made five substitutions, not just one. Changes are a normal part of football. Vinicius needs to keep working hard. I don't like making promises, but I expect him to start on Wednesday.

Do you offer Vinicius advice on other matters as well?
Those remain private conversations. When he signed his contract renewal, he did so with the conviction that Real Madrid is his home, determined to keep making history and winning silverware. He gets along with everyone in the dressing room and brings tremendous joy to the group.

Are you looking to make signings in the January transfer window?
We always have 23 players available for any given match. Vinicius will be unavailable tomorrow, but Militao will be ready. Regarding new signings, I am not asking for anything. I am very satisfied with the squad and the players at my disposal. The natural progression is for players to improve, both individually and collectively—especially when given time and tranquility to work. A manager's duty is to develop his players. I cannot demand new arrivals. I prefer smaller squads; bringing someone in means someone else has to make way. If the sporting hierarchy considers an opportunity, we are here to discuss and evaluate it, but the initiative will not come from me.

What is your take on Valverde's role in central midfield?
I am here to make decisions that best serve the team. Perhaps the day will come when artificial intelligence and club surveys restrict managers purely to work on the pitch, but for now, the decisions rest with the head coach. A stubborn manager who rejects external views... With all due respect, some people share opinions out of love for the game, while others do so because it is their job. However, their opinions carry no more weight than my own analysis. A stubborn coach is limited, but a coach swayed by every opinion is equally poor. I listen to my coaching staff. I am willing to adapt my decisions, but only based on our internal analysis, not outside noise. We have distinct options, such as Tchouameni and Valverde. Every match has different moments and phases. Having five substitutions provides a significant advantage for squads with great depth.

What do you demand from your midfielders?
I demand that they function as complete midfielders and handle all their responsibilities. A player who solely defends is limited; one who only attacks is better suited out wide or as a number 10 behind the striker. Central midfield is an extremely demanding position. To belong among the elite, you must possess top-tier attributes across the board.

What is the plan regarding Endrick?
I believe we often struggle to give people credit when they perform well, yet critics are quick to tear them down when things go wrong. Full credit goes to the lad, who delivered an explosive impact. Recognition must also be given to how we won the corners that led to the goals (against Roma). We forced around seven corners in a ten-minute span through relentless pressure.

There are many players who deserve regular minutes—not just 11, but 15 or 16. Lunin deserves to play, and I am not joking. He is a lad working tirelessly every day alongside the best goalkeeper in the world, maintaining a positive attitude despite limited game time. But I cannot play both at once, and the same logic applies to outfield players.

We can all agree that the five substitutes who came on and turned the match around deserve to start tomorrow. But what about the rest? Doesn't Diomande deserve to play? Doesn't Cucurella? What about Valverde or Mbappe? That is precisely what makes managing so demanding.

Colleagues with fewer resources might say I am fortunate. It is indeed fortunate, but also a misfortune to deal with journalists like you who make my job even harder.

Ahead of the season, you mentioned Arda Guler could feature in a deeper midfield role…
He is putting in the work. It seems you always find it difficult to recognize hard work and merit. Negatives are always pinned on an individual, while positives are casually dismissed as luck. Arda is an exceptionally gifted footballer who, fortunately, is not yet the finished article. He possesses the qualities to operate across multiple positions, and I am delighted with him.

Javier Tebas and the comparison with Real Madrid TV (RMTV)…
You already know my thoughts on that matter. I would ask that we move past it because boundaries have been crossed into territory where the only possible justification would be clinical. Otherwise, there is simply no excuse.

I believe Real Madrid supporters understand more clearly with each passing day what we are up against. As I've stated before, given the immense global prestige Spanish football enjoys, it would be far better to address these matters domestically rather than letting them spill onto the international stage…