José Mourinho has launched a pointed defence of Vinícius Júnior, arguing that referees are failing in their duty to protect the Real Madrid forward from persistent rough treatment. Speaking ahead of Madrid’s first home match of the season at the Bernabéu, against Real Sociedad, the coach said there is a clear disparity in how Vinícius is handled compared with other players.

Mourinho’s anger stems from an incident in Madrid’s 2-1 win at Espanyol, when an early kick on Vinícius went unpunished. The Portuguese coach likened the pattern of repeated fouls on the Brazilian to a form of bullying, suggesting opponents feel emboldened because sanctions are slow to arrive.

What I can say is it is obvious the difference in general between Vini and other players, Mourinho told reporters. There is a dynamic, a spiral. Opponents feel that they can foul him, and they do it. It seems obvious to me.

He drew a vivid comparison to playground behaviour. It is like kids. Little kids go as far as you allow them to. With players, it is the same. If the yellow card does not arrive after 10 fouls, they think I can be aggressive.

The flashpoint in Barcelona involved Álex Calatrava, who caught Vinícius with a challenge that went unnoticed by the referee. Calatrava later scored for Espanyol and was eventually booked after another clash with the Brazilian. Mourinho accepted that the referee might have missed the initial incident but was far less forgiving of the video assistant.

With the aggression on Vinícius, I understand that the referee did not see it, he said. And the fourth official did not want to make his own decision, which could be fundamental in the game. But we can say that the VAR did not do his job well.

Mourinho stressed that he always begins by trusting officials, only to be left dissatisfied by certain decisions once the final whistle blows. At the same time, he acknowledged that Vinícius has his own responsibilities, particularly in how he reacts to hostile crowds.

His relationship with the crowds, not racism but normal insults, I think that can improve, Mourinho said. But in terms of the game, kicks, penalties, frustration, that is the responsibility of the judge, the referee. The players have to be protected.