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Mourinho defends Vinícius Júnior after Real Madrid victory over Inter

ESPN Soccer • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 8, 2026, 10:52 PM

Last updated Sep 8, 2026

Mourinho defends Vinícius Júnior after Real Madrid victory over Inter

Summary

José Mourinho publicly supported Vinícius Júnior following Real Madrid's 2-1 victory against Inter in the Champions League on Tuesday. The forward faced jeers from the crowd at the Bernabéu throughout the match. Despite acknowledging that the player is not currently at his best performance level, Mourinho commended his consistent work rate on the pitch. The win secures a result for Real Madrid in the group stage, though the reception toward Vinícius Júnior remains a point of focus. The player continues to operate under pressure from fans as he seeks to regain his top form. Mourinho maintains that the forward's commitment to his defensive and offensive duties remains valuable for the team during this period.

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By the Numbers

•Real Madrid won 2-1 against Inter on Tuesday in the Champions League.
•Vinícius Júnior was whistled by fans at the Bernabéu during the match.
•José Mourinho stated that Vinícius Júnior is not playing at his best.
•Mourinho praised the work rate displayed by the forward during the victory.

Latest Updates

11:40 PMESPN Soccer — Mou defends Vini Jr. amid jeers: Not 'at his best'

What they're saying

"
José Mourinho admitted Vinícius Júnior "isn't at his best," but praised the star forward's work rate after he was whistled once again by fans at the Bernabéu during Real Madrid's 2-1 Champions League win over Inter on Tuesday.
— ESPN Soccerby Alex Kirkland

Related Teams & Leagues

Champions League Soccer