Three Ways Vinicius Jr Can Turn Around His Real Madrid Form
Vinícius Jr’s confidence has taken a hit, his partnership with Kylian Mbappé remains awkward, and the Bernabéu has grown impatient. Getting him back to his best is becoming a defining test for José Mourinho.
It has been a tough few months for Vinícius. The Brazilian has admitted that his country’s World Cup round of 16 exit to Norway was difficult to take and affected his confidence.
By the first international break of the 2026–27 season, he had scored just once for Real Madrid. That return has drawn particular scrutiny after a lucrative contract extension, signed following more than a year of negotiations and flirtations with Arsenal.
Mourinho has defended the forward against the Bernabéu’s boos, while acknowledging that the runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d’Or vote “isn’t at his best.” The Madrid derby defeat brought those struggles into sharp focus: Vinícius produced a subdued display and was substituted before the hour.
International duty offered little relief. Against India in Kolkata, the 26-year-old completed only seven of 13 passes, attempted no dribbles and missed a big chance before being withdrawn at halftime. India were ranked 138th in the world by FIFA.
His only goal across three matches during the international break was a penalty, Brazil’s fourth in a 4–2 win over Australia. The explosive match-winner of recent seasons has looked a long way from his best.
Madrid trail Barcelona by six points in La Liga and face the prospect of a third consecutive season without a major trophy. With the first Clásico of the season approaching on Oct. 25, they need their biggest players performing.
For Mourinho, back at the club at 63, managing an out-of-sorts superstar is an early examination of the personal touch that once helped define his coaching. Three possible approaches stand out.
Adapt the Formation
One persistent problem since Mbappé’s arrival is the space he and Vinícius occupy. After the Madrid derby, a graphic published by L’Équipe showed their average positions almost on top of one another.
Mbappé operates as a striker but naturally drifts left, into the territory where Vinícius is most effective. Rather than complementing one another, the two can end up competing for the same space.
Mourinho has built his 4-2-3-1 around Mbappé as the attacking spearhead. Seven goals in seven La Liga appearances in 2026–27 show the benefits for the Frenchman, but the arrangement has also contributed to limiting Vinícius’s influence.
The challenge is to give both forwards room to flourish.
A tactical adjustment could help separate their movements and preserve what makes each dangerous. No manager has fully solved that balance yet, however, and the precise shape of a successful alternative remains unclear.
Make Him Feel Special
Vinícius has tended to score in bursts rather than provide an unbroken stream of goals. He has also thrived when made to feel central to Madrid’s ambitions.
Before Mbappé arrived, he was a leading figure in the Champions League-winning side of 2023–24, trusted to deliver moments of magic and embraced by the Bernabéu when he did.
The drawn-out contract negotiations appear to have damaged his relationship with Madrid’s demanding supporters. This season, frustration over the renewal saga has combined with disappointment at his performances to produce regular boos and whistles.
In April, Álvaro Arbeloa praised him for “turning the whistles into applause” with an outstanding individual goal against Alavés. On current evidence, though, another response of that kind looks less assured.
Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti took a more supportive approach against Australia, giving Vinícius penalty duties to help rebuild his confidence and asking supporters to show patience during his dry spell.
With three more home matches before El Clásico, a less hostile reception could give Vinícius valuable breathing room as he tries to rediscover his confidence.
Give Him a Break
The other obvious option is a temporary spell on the bench, taking Vinícius out of the spotlight while giving another attacker an opportunity.
Record signing Yan Diomande is pushing for starts, while Arda Güler is in excellent form. Madrid have alternatives, and Vinícius’s standing appears to be doing more than his recent output to preserve his place.
Competition with Diomande could provide a spark, but Mourinho would need to handle the decision carefully. Vinícius shouted “it’s better if I leave” after Xabi Alonso substituted him in last season’s Clásico, an incident whose repercussions continued until the coach’s January departure.
Mourinho has considerably more dressing-room experience than Alonso, although his handling of unsettled stars has not always been delicate.
Ultimately, the strength of the relationship between Vinícius and Mourinho may determine what kind of season the Brazilian has.
