Mourinho Defends Vinícius Jr. Against 'Bullying' After Real Madrid's Late Win

Following Real Madrid's hard-fought 1-2 away victory against Espanyol, manager José Mourinho strongly defended Brazilian winger Vinícius Jr., asserting that the player is subjected to excessive "bullying" on the field. Mourinho's comments came after a match where Vinícius, despite not scoring, played a crucial role.

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He is not a saint, but what they are doing to him is too much.

Mourinho detailed a perceived pattern of fouls directed at Vinícius, suggesting a deliberate strategy by opposing teams. "It repeats. I foul him, now you foul him. If I get a yellow card, you foul him. One goes out with a yellow card, another comes in without a yellow card, and fouls him. It's a frustration for him," the Portuguese coach explained. He acknowledged that the player needs to maintain significant emotional control amidst this treatment.

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It repeats. I foul him, now you foul him. If I get a yellow card, you foul him. One goes out with a yellow card, another comes in without a yellow card, and fouls him. It's a frustration for him.

The coach revealed he had a direct conversation with Vinícius, advising him on how to celebrate potential goals. Mourinho concluded his remarks on the matter by drawing a stark contrast with societal norms, stating, "Society is living in an anti-bullying era, but with Vini we are still in the bullying."

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I have spoken with him and told him in detail that if he scores a goal, he should be careful about how he celebrates.

Beyond the controversy surrounding Vinícius, Mourinho praised his team's performance, describing the win as one "with soul." He acknowledged Espanyol's strong tactical approach, admitting they "did not deserve to lose," despite Real Madrid's victory. The manager also noted the physical demands on his squad, particularly expressing surprise at Jude Bellingham's stamina, and highlighted the importance of the team's cohesion and the contribution from the bench in securing the win.

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Society is living in an anti-bullying era, but with Vini we are still in the bullying.