José Mourinho defends Vinicius after Espanyol win

José Mourinho has publicly defended Vinicius Junior after accusing opponents of subjecting the Real Madrid winger to excessive treatment. The coach acknowledged that the Brazil international is not always blameless, but said repeated fouls and provocations are placing an unfair burden on him.

The issue arose during Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory at Espanyol in the opening minutes of the match. Four minutes after kick-off, Espanyol’s Alex Calatrava struck Vinicius in the back with his foot. Mourinho viewed the incident as part of a wider pattern in which the forward is targeted from the start of matches.

Mourinho said he had spoken to Vinicius before the game about controlling his reactions. He also warned the player to remain measured even if he scored, including in the way he celebrated. The coach believes Vinicius must constantly manage his emotions while dealing with challenges and attempts to provoke him.

The Portuguese manager went further by comparing the treatment of the winger to harassment, arguing that the pressure has become a regular feature of matches involving him. His intervention puts the focus on the protection Vinicius receives from Real Madrid, while also making clear that the player is expected to maintain discipline.