Mourinho keeps Vinícius's place open as Real Madrid seek route back to form

José Mourinho declined to confirm whether Vinícius Jr would start Real Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Villarreal on Saturday, 9 October, saying the forward’s current form — not his reputation — must shape how the club manages his return to his best.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho was asked whether his selection decisions would be based purely on merit. He said meritocracy mattered, but that a player’s situation should also influence the response, because some footballers need a different route back to form. He specifically named Vinícius as the subject of the question.

Mourinho described the Brazilian as eager to improve and to again decide matches, and said it pained him to see the winger struggling to reach the level associated with his best performances. That sympathy, however, did not translate into a guarantee of a starting place.

The coach raised the possibility of a specific plan that could involve Vinícius not playing, or being left on the bench, if that offered a more effective path back. His argument was that pure meritocracy — dropping a player whenever he underperforms — carries its own risks, and that some players require more time and a more considered approach before they recover their usual level.

Mourinho set no timetable for any change in Vinícius’s role and left both possibilities open: the forward could start against Villarreal, or he could be managed differently. The decision, Mourinho indicated, would depend on what he judged most useful for the player and the team.

The discussion arrived at a difficult moment for Madrid, who head into the Villarreal match having lost their previous fixture. Mourinho described Villarreal as a high-level, Champions League-calibre opponent and acknowledged his side needed points.

His comments framed the Vinícius situation as a question of careful management rather than a straightforward selection call, with the coach’s support for the winger clear even as he kept every option on the table.