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Jose Mourinho on Vinicius Jr: “He deserves to be helped”

Jose Mourinho spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid’s return to action against Villarreal on Saturday. He was asked about whether a player will play based on meritocracy, to which he said: “Meritocracy, yes, but also an openness not…

By Hridyam Arora · Managing Madrid

Published: Friday, 9 October 2026 at 9:07 AM

Key Things to Know

Jose Mourinho defended Vinicius Jr., stating the forward works hard and deserves support to regain his top form.
Mourinho dismissed recent media controversies surrounding Kylian Mbappe and confirmed the forward will play against Villarreal.
Eder Militao is confirmed unavailable for selection, while Fede Valverde remains a doubt for Saturday's game.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho addressed the media ahead of Saturday's match against Villarreal, defending forward Vinicius Jr. amid questions regarding meritocracy and player form. Mourinho acknowledged that the Brazilian is struggling to reach his best level but emphasized his strong work ethic and stated that he deserves support from the club and supporters.

Mourinho also dismissed media criticism directed at Kylian Mbappe and confirmed the French forward would play against Villarreal. Additionally, the manager provided squad updates, revealing that defender Eder Militao remains sidelined, while midfielder Fede Valverde is currently considered a doubt.

Read the full article on Managing Madrid

Jose Mourinho on Vinicius Jr: “He deserves to be helped”

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