Mourinho calls for emotional control education for Vinicius Jr
Jose Mourinho has called for Vinicius Jr to be “educated” over his emotional control after claiming the Real Madrid star is being subjected to relentless bullying on the pitch, reports BritPanorama.
The 63-year-old made these comments following his return to the Bernabeu with a 2-1 victory over Espanyol, a match that saw Vinicius receive a yellow card for an altercation with midfielder Cala.
Mourinho suggested that rival players are intentionally targeting the Brazilian to provoke a reaction. While acknowledging that Vinicius must manage his emotions, he argued that the treatment directed at the winger has exceeded reasonable bounds.
“I run the risk of you going back months and pulling out my words when I was an opponent of Vini Jr,” Mourinho said. “Now Vini Jr is mine. Vini Jr is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much.”
Mourinho emphasized that attempts to provoke Vinicius begin “from the first minute” and persist throughout the match, adding, “It’s frustrating for him. He needs to have great emotional control.” His concerns were particularly pronounced during the match, leading him to intervene at half-time, advising Vinicius on how to conduct himself should he score.
Vinicius Jr has often found himself at the center of intense confrontations during his tenure with Real Madrid, with instances of racist abuse also marking his career. Mourinho’s previous encounters with Vinicius include a controversial incident from his time at Benfica, where Gianluca Prestianni faced accusations of racially abusing the Brazilian.
Mourinho expressed satisfaction with Real Madrid’s performance against Espanyol while also extending commendation to their opponents. “I think we deserved to win, but Espanyol didn’t deserve to lose,” he noted.
As the debate around emotional control and bullying in sports continues, the focus remains on how players like Vinicius navigate these challenges both on and off the pitch, highlighting the complex interplay of sportsmanship and mental resilience.
