‘Only a matter of time’ — Mourinho backs Real Madrid megastar to return to his best soon

According to a report by Madrid Universal on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has backed Vinicius Jr. to overcome his disappointing start to the season, expressing confidence that the Brazilian winger will eventually rediscover his best form.

The 26-year-old has struggled to produce his usual performances during the 2026/27 campaign, raising concerns about his effectiveness in Real Madrid’s attack. Despite these difficulties, Mourinho believes the forward possesses the talent and ability to regain his confidence and become a decisive figure for the Spanish giants once again.

Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League encounter against AS Roma, the Portuguese tactician expressed his belief that Vinicius would recover his form.

“Vinicius will return to his best. It’s only a matter of time,” Mourinho said.

The Real Madrid manager also disclosed that he changed his approach to handling the Brazilian following the club’s derby against Atletico Madrid. Mourinho explained that he wanted to protect the winger from unnecessary pressure while giving him opportunities to influence matches when his attacking qualities could be most effective.

According to Mourinho, the positive reaction from supporters when Vinicius began warming up was encouraging. He also observed promising signs from the forward after he entered the game, despite the disappointment surrounding his goal and subsequent red card.

Mourinho believes the experience could help Vinicius regain the confidence and enjoyment that have previously made him one of Real Madrid’s most dangerous attacking players.

The Brazilian’s performances have attracted increased scrutiny this season, with his contribution in front of goal falling short of expectations. According to the report, he had registered one goal and three assists in nine appearances across all competitions, playing a total of 672 minutes.

Nevertheless, Mourinho remains confident that Vinicius can make a substantial impact once he returns to his best. The manager believes the winger’s speed, dribbling skills and creativity remain valuable assets that can cause significant problems for opposition defences.

Vinicius also signed a new contract with Real Madrid during the summer after reportedly turning down interest from Arsenal, reinforcing his importance to the club’s long-term plans. However, the Brazilian will need to produce more consistent displays to silence his critics and ease the pressure surrounding his performances.

Meanwhile, the reported red card against Villarreal could create another setback for the winger, as a possible La Liga suspension threatens to rule him out of the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona.

His potential absence would be a significant blow to Real Madrid, considering his ability to trouble defenders and influence major matches. It would also leave Mourinho facing an important selection decision as he considers alternative attacking options for the high-profile encounter.

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