Jose Mourinho has admitted that Vinicius Junior should have left Real Madrid to join a club where he is 'respected'. The 26-year-old was a top target for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, with the Gunners willing to make him their highest-paid player.
Arsenal's pursuit and Vinicius' decision
Mikel Arteta was intent on signing the Brazilian, who had entered the final year of his existing contract in Madrid worth £400,000 per week. But Vinicius ended up staying after Real offered him a lucrative new contract which keeps him at the Bernabeu until 2032.
The winger has played a prominent role under Mourinho so far this season, although he is currently serving a four-match suspension for pulling an opponent's hair. Vinicius has previously mentioned that leaving La Liga would 'give the racists what they want', having faced abuse throughout his time in Spain.
Mourinho's view on loyalty
Mourinho, however, would not have made the same decision on his future. "If I were in his shoes, I probably wouldn't be here," the Real boss admitted. "I would have forced a move to a country where he'd be respected, but out of loyalty to Real Madrid and love for the club, he stayed."
"He believes things can improve, and he still has that smile. Nothing and no one can take it away from him. He's a fantastic guy, and it's easy to get along with him. I spend a few minutes alone with him every day. I value him immensely because he always manages to live and survive with a smile."
Season so far and suspension impact
Vinicius has started nine of Mourinho's 10 games in charge, returning one goal and three assists. The former Flamengo star was brought off after 59 minutes during Real's dramatic 4-3 win away to Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Mourinho commented: "Vinicius had a very tough match, and as I said after the game, the main culprit for that was (Roma manager Gian Piero) Gasperini. He had a very difficult first half, and at the start of the second, Roma's power to finish down the right flank was gone. What bothered me was the nature of the second goal at a moment when the match was calm. We knew how they jumped to the man in that type of frontal build-up. But it's okay. I made five changes, not one."
Vinicius' ban means that he will miss El Clasico next weekend, as Real bid to hunt down league leaders Barcelona, who have made a perfect start by winning each of their first nine games. Currently nine points behind with a game in hand, Real host Sevilla on Sunday.
