Mourinho says Vinicius Junior should have left Real Madrid

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 13:43 · Archive

Jose Mourinho has said Vinicius Junior should have left Real Madrid in the summer to join a club where he is respected.

Jose Mourinho has said that Vinicius Junior should have left Real Madrid during the summer transfer window to join a club where he is 'respected'. Arsenal enquired about the Brazilian winger, with reports suggesting the Gunners were willing to offer him £18.5 million per season, more than any other player at the club. Vinicius's existing contract was entering its final year.

However, Vinicius chose to stay at Madrid after the club offered him a lucrative new deal extending to 2032. The winger has previously stated that leaving La Liga would 'give the racists what they want', having endured significant racial abuse during his time in Spain since joining from Flamengo in 2018.

Mourinho said that if he were in Vinicius's position, he would have forced a move elsewhere. 'If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn't be here. I would have forced a move to a country where he'd be respected, but out of loyalty to Real Madrid and love for the club, he stayed,' Mourinho said. He praised Vinicius's character, noting that 'he believes things can improve, and he still has that smile'. Vinicius is currently serving a four-match suspension for pulling an opponent's hair during a match.

How it is being reported

• Jose Mourinho admits Vinicius Junior should've joined Arsenal before Real Madrid U-turnArsenal attempted to sign Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window before the 26-year-old snubbed the Gunners and signed a lucrative new contractMirror Sport · 18 Oct, 13:29
• Jose Mourinho admits Vinicius Jr should have LEFT Real Madrid last summer 'to a country where he is respected' as boss lavishes praise on former Arsenal targetArsenal enquired about the Brazilian superstar and reports suggested they were willing to offer him a mammoth £18.5million per season - more than any player at the club.Daily Mail Sport · 17 Oct, 13:01

In this story: Jose Mourinho · Vinicius Junior · Real Madrid · Arsenal · Brazil · Spain

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