José Mourinho says he is 80 per cent soft and 20 per cent tough with Vinicius Júnior after Real Madrid’s Champions League win over AEK Athens
On 4 November 2026 in Athens, Real Madrid manager José Mourinho said he was currently treating forward Vinicius Júnior with 80 per cent softness and 20 per cent toughness, following the team’s 3-2 Champions League victory against AEK Athens.
Mourinho, speaking at the post-match press conference, responded with a smile when asked whether he was being tough or soft on the 26-year-old Brazilian.
“With Vinicius, I would say I am using 80 per cent soft hand and 20 per cent hard hand,” he explained.
He described the player’s performance on the night as acceptable rather than extraordinary, noting that the team as a whole had not produced an outstanding display either.
“Vinicius, within that context, did his job very well,” Mourinho added.
The Portuguese coach has continued to start Vinicius despite a difficult campaign in which the forward has scored only once and has gone nearly two months without a goal or assist.
Criticism has grown among some supporters and sections of the Spanish media, yet Mourinho has largely defended the player, previously describing him as someone who wins games and insisting he needs him.
On this occasion, the manager also rejected suggestions that Vinicius’s presence was forcing new signing Yan Diomande onto the opposite wing, saying the Ivorian had joined the club capable of playing on either side.
The measured 80-20 split reflects Mourinho’s careful handling of a high-profile player who has endured fluctuating form and external pressure since the start of the season.
While the soft approach has remained dominant, the acknowledgement of a tougher element suggests the manager is prepared to raise demands if results do not improve. Real Madrid return to La Liga action against Valencia on Saturday, where squad rotation is expected.
Mourinho’s candid percentage offers a rare window into the delicate balance he is striking with one of the club’s most scrutinised stars.
