Mourinho says Real Madrid duo settled feud as he backs Vinicius revival
José Mourinho says Real Madrid’s dressing room has resolved last season’s dispute between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde without managerial intervention, while he has also backed Vinícius Júnior to rediscover his decisive form after a subdued opening to the campaign.
Key facts
| Item | Figure or date | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Tchouaméni and Valverde incidents | May | Two altercations; Valverde was hospitalised with a head injury after one. |
| Vinícius Júnior this season | 1 goal in 5 appearances | All competitions. |
| Vinícius contract | Until 2032 | New long-term agreement signed last month. |
Speaking before Real Madrid’s meeting with Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho said the relationship between the midfielders now appears entirely normal. The pair had been involved in two high-profile confrontations in May, with one leaving Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a head injury.
Madrid returned from the summer with several changes around the squad. Tchouaméni agreed a new deal, while Valverde took over the captaincy following Dani Carvajal’s departure. Mourinho said he had monitored the situation after the players returned from World Cup duty, but found no need to intervene.
“I did nothing; they dealt with it themselves,” Mourinho said. “The empathy, friendship and work within this group are excellent. Players are disappointed to come off because they want to stay on, but they support the teammate replacing them, even someone entering in the last minute. The group is fantastic.”
The head coach added that, without prior knowledge of the previous tension, he would have assumed Tchouaméni and Valverde were close friends. He had been ready to act as a mediator if necessary, but said the players had already put the matter behind them.
That change was evident after Madrid’s Champions League win against Inter Milan. Tchouaméni made his first appearance of the season after returning from the World Cup, coming on late for Trent Alexander-Arnold. He and Valverde embraced at the final whistle.
Mourinho expects Vinícius response
Mourinho also dismissed concerns over Vinícius, whose future had been heavily discussed during the summer before he committed himself to Madrid through 2032. The 26-year-old has scored once in five outings so far, but his manager believes the numbers behind his performances point towards an imminent improvement.
Mourinho recalled Vinícius’s influence in last season’s tie against Benfica, when the Brazilian helped turn the contest in Madrid’s favour despite a tense Bernabéu atmosphere. He insisted that the forward who can decide major matches on his own has not yet appeared this term, but expects him to return soon.
“His best level will come shortly,” Mourinho said. “In a game dominated by data, he is close to his highest speed. He has set personal marks for high-intensity sprints and for regaining possession, including in the final third. He is on the way.”
The Madrid coach was particularly firm when addressing criticism of Vinícius in Spain. He pointed to the forward’s record at the club, which includes three La Liga titles, two Champions League wins and two FIFA Club World Cups among his honours.
Using a Portuguese proverb, Mourinho argued that successful players attract criticism because of their achievements. “People throw stones at fruit-bearing trees,” he said. “Look at what Vini has done here: the Champions Leagues he has won and the goals he has scored. There is plenty of fruit there, and that is why people want to throw stones.”
