In the illustrious corridors of the Santiago Bernabéu, rumours swirl as reports emerge that Real Madrid’s dazzling duo, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, are staunchly opposed to the prospect of Jose Mourinho taking the managerial reins at the club. The erstwhile Chelsea, Tottenham, and Manchester United manager finds himself mired in controversy following recent events.
Vinicius Junior, fresh from netting a solitary but pivotal strike in Real Madrid’s narrow 1-0 triumph over Benfica in the Champions League, celebrated his goal with a dance that incensed the local fans. The Benfica supporters reacted with hostility, and shockingly, the Portuguese club’s forward, Gianluca Prestianni, allegedly hurled racial abuse towards the Brazilian star, branding him with a vile epithet.
The incident escalated the racial tension, and many hoped for decisive referee intervention, yet Francois Letexier found his hands tied as Prestianni shielded his lips with his shirt. In the aftermath, Mourinho waded into troubled waters, casting blame on Vinicius Junior for provocations that supposedly inflamed the crowd. Mourinho remarked on the Brazilian’s celebration, suggesting, “When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way,” whilst minimising the seriousness of the racial allegation.
These remarks unleashed a torrent of criticism from the football fraternity, with figures such as Jamie Carragher, Micah Richards, Clarence Seedorf, and Wayne Rooney decrying the ‘Special One’ for perceived victim-blaming and hypocrisy.
Amidst whispers about the succession of Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid’s interim head coach, names like Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery have also been floated as potential candidates for the prestigious role.
However, with unverified voices from within the club indicating Vinicius and Mbappe’s disapproval of Mourinho, it appears the turbulent Portuguese tactician might not receive a warm welcome in the Spanish capital. The duo’s position seems to stem from Mourinho’s perceived lack of firmness on an issue that resonates deeply within the football community, especially given Vinicius’s unfortunate history with racially charged incidents.
The saga continues to develop, as Los Blancos maintain their search for a commander capable of steering their star-laden ship through both success and the societal challenges that accompany the modern game.