José Mourinho's Demands for Vinicius Júnior Ahead of Elche Match

José Mourinho has put the spotlight firmly on Vinicius Júnior ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Elche on Tuesday night, demanding a more ruthless edge from his star winger in front of goal.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference before the 21:30 CET kick-off at the Martínez Valero, the Portuguese coach began by underlining everything Vinicius already gives him.

Mourinho praised the Brazilian’s defensive work, his intensity without the ball and his willingness to fit into the tactical structure. For the Madrid boss, those details are non‑negotiable and Vinicius, he stressed, delivers them every day in training and in matches. That daily commitment, he said, keeps the team’s collective machinery running.

Then he turned the screw.

He made it clear that, for all that effort, Real Madrid now need the decisive version of Vinicius in the penalty area. “The best version is scoring. Assisting is important, working for the team is very important, the daily work is important and he does it very well... But there is another Vinicius,” he told the media, drawing a line between the current contributor and the cold-blooded finisher he wants to see again.

To make his point, Mourinho went back to a recent benchmark. He evoked the Vinicius who silenced one of Europe’s toughest grounds in a single action. “A Vinicius who went to Benfica last year and had one chance, one goal, and home. He is missing that ultra-high-level performance,” the Real Madrid coach concluded, leaving no doubt about the standard he expects.

Real Madrid now walk into a demanding away league fixture knowing three points are vital. The message is clear: the structure is in place, the work rate is there, but the team needs its main attacking reference to rediscover that ruthless, one-chance-one-goal instinct.

If Vinicius finds it again at the Martínez Valero, Madrid’s push for the top will look very different.