Jose Mourinho Admits Vinicius Jr Probably Should Have Left Real Madrid

Back in the summer transfer window, Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr turned down an approach from Premier League winners and UEFA Champions League finalists Arsenal, in order to sign a new, bumper six year deal with Los Blancos. 

Before that new contract was signed, the Brazilian had entered the final 12 months of his previous deal, so when Arsenal were showing interest and no new deal had been confirmed, there were a lot of people wondering if the deal was going to happen. After eight years, Vinicius could have been leaving. 

Alas, he did not, and that new deal was penned. You wonder if he is starting to regret that decision now, considering he has scored just one goal in 10 appearances so far this season, and now faces a four game suspension in La Liga. 

Some people feel like the right thing for the Brazilian do was to go on a new adventure, experience a new league, a new country, a new team. That he was not appreciated enough in Spain. A lot of those people were perhaps not of a Real Madrid persuasion, admittedly. 

One person who very much is of that description, however, is the current first team manager, Jose Mourinho, who has admitted that if he was in Vinicius' shoes, he would have departed in the summer: 

The 63-year old, (as relayed by ESPN UK) said: "If I was Vini Jr, I probably wouldn't still be here. I would have pushed for a move to a country where I'd be respected. 

But out of loyalty to Real Madrid and love for the club, he stayed. He believes things can get better, and he keeps that smile." 

Some very honest words from Mourinho, as you would come to expect from him after all of these years of knowing exactly what he is like. He is probably right in a sense, he would be respected and shown more love in another country. 

Still, you can't argue that he can provoke people at times, and that is why he sometimes gets booed. That does not excuse the abuse he gets, no doubt about that, but in terms of booing, jeering etc - that would happen in most countries to a player of the Brazilian's personality. That's just how it is. The partizan and tribal nature of being a football fan. 

That said, it is great to see just how much the boss loves and defends the 26-year old in the media. He is showing him a lot of love, and it is now up to Vinicius to repay that support on the pitch. When he is eligible to play.