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Can Mourinho reignite Vinícius Jr.'s form?
5 Oct
Summary
- Vinícius Jr. has scored only once for Real Madrid this season.
- Real Madrid trails Barcelona by six points in La Liga.
- Manager Mourinho must address Vinícius Jr.'s slump.
Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. is experiencing a significant dip in form, scoring only once for the club in the 2026-27 season. This comes after Brazil's disappointing World Cup exit and protracted contract negotiations, impacting his confidence. Despite manager José Mourinho's defense, Vinícius Jr. has shown uncharacteristic struggles, even in a recent friendly against India.
The forward's slump is a major concern for Real Madrid, who trail Barcelona by six points in La Liga and risk another trophy-less season. With El Clásico on October 25th approaching, the team needs its stars, including the 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up, to perform.
Mourinho's man-management skills are being tested. Tactical adjustments, such as addressing the spatial overlap between Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé, could be necessary. Additionally, making Vinícius Jr. feel like the main man again and providing crowd support might help him regain his confidence.
Another option is to bench Vinícius Jr. temporarily, allowing him a break from the spotlight. Record signing Yan Diomande and Arda Güler are in form, providing competition. However, this approach carries risks, given Vinícius Jr.'s past reactions to being substituted.
