According to a report by Madrid Universal on Saturday November 7, 2026, even though the Brazilian has underwhelmed this season, Jose Mourinho is adamant about getting Vinicius Jr. back to his best for Real Madrid.

Restoring the 26-year-old's self-assurance and consistency is supposedly one of the Portuguese manager's top priorities for the current campaign.

Reports indicate that Mourinho is still of the belief that Vinicius possesses the qualities necessary to regain his previous level of performance. With Yan Diomande's arrival, there is more competition for attacking positions, but the manager is still determined to maximize the forward's potential.

Vinicius has failed to live up to expectations throughout the 2026–27 season. There is some uncertainty regarding his starting lineup spot due to his inconsistent performances.

But Mourinho has kept defending the Brazilian in public. The striker is still heavily involved in the plans of the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager.

Mourinho said that one of a manager's duties is to assist their players in reaching their maximum potential after Real Madrid's win over AEK Athens. The significance of adjusting one's approach to achieve better results was another point he made.

The Portuguese strategist went on to say that when it came time to choose candidates, the group's interests would always come first. No player would be given preferential treatment that would hurt the team, he said emphatically.

At the same time, Vinicius now has another obstacle in the form of Diomande's outstanding performances. The Ivorian forward has solidified his position as a go-to attacker by making the most of his chances.

He has solidified his place in Mourinho's plans thanks to his versatility, which allows him to contribute in both offensive and defensive situations. Vinicius will need to become more consistent if he wants to be a regular starter.

Once the Brazilian has served his domestic suspension, he is likely to face Valencia in La Liga. This meeting could be his chance to get back on track.

The return to form of Vinicius is something that Mourinho is determined to assist with. But the manager has made it plain that starting positions at Real Madrid are not guarantyd by reputation alone.