Jose Mourinho makes Vinicius Junior prediction after Real Madrid's Champions League win over Inter

Real Madrid kicked disconnected their Champions League run with a 2-1 victory implicit Inter Milan astatine the Santiago Bernabeu, though manager Jose Mourinho was near frustrated by the chaotic quality of the match. 

First-half strikes from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde secured the 3 points for Los Blancos earlier a precocious extremity from Carlos Augusto acceptable up a tense finale. 

Despite creating galore chances passim the contest, the hosts yet relied connected a phenomenal show from Thibaut Courtois to sphere their constrictive lead. 

Following the last whistle, Mourinho admitted that the thrilling brushwood could person easy ended successful a 6-6 gully and heavily criticised the determination not to grant his Belgian goalkeeper the Man of the Match accolade.

The manager past commented connected the fans' reaction to Vinicius Junior, who was replaced with 3 minutes of mean clip to play. 

Vini Jr backed to regain devastating form 

Mourinho also took the accidental to firmly support Vini Jr after the Brazilian superstar was substituted pursuing a flawed performance. 

I’m not criticizing the fans; I’m speaking arsenic a manager and astir my narration with him," said the Portuguese manager aft the guardant was booed. 

"He deserves each my respect. He’s not astatine his best, and we each spot that. He’s the archetypal to cognize it and is moving precise hard to beryllium the subordinate who decides matches. 

"By not being astatine his peak, he’s working harder than ever successful grooming and games. I person large respect for the Vini Jr. I’veencountered. The clip volition travel erstwhile helium decides matches.”

Vini Jr was named connected the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d'Or on Tuesday, and is believed to beryllium one of the starring contenders for the award. 

How has Vinicius Junior performed this season?

After a beardown World Cup showing with Brazil, determination is simply a feeling that Vini Jr has yet to beryllium arsenic decisive for Los Blancos this play nether Mourinho. 

Despite that disapproval successful a highly demanding situation of the Bernabeu, the Brazil planetary has scored 1 and has assisted 2 successful 4 La Liga appearancees. 

That fig falls 1 down Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham connected 4 extremity involvements, putting the indispensable discourse connected his extremity product. 

Furthermore, Vini Jr's three clear-cut chances created fertile beneath lone Bellingham and Arda Guler, portion the guardant is joint-second for cardinal passes per crippled aft 4 La Liga rounds.