Mourinho Critiques Referees Over Vinicius Junior's Treatment

José Mourinho, the head coach of Real Madrid, publicly criticized referees for their treatment of Vinicius Junior, asserting that the winger is unfairly targeted during matches. This statement came after Vinicius experienced a rough game against Espanyol on August 25, where he was fouled by Alex Calatrava without a whistle being blown.

Mourinho noted that the lack of early intervention by officials leads opponents to feel emboldened to play aggressively. He expressed frustration over the officiating, stating that the VAR did not perform adequately.

While Mourinho defended Vinicius's treatment on the pitch, he also acknowledged that the player could improve his interactions with fans. Real Madrid is preparing for their home opener against Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu, with Mourinho indicating that the squad is closed for transfers despite the market still being open.