Mourinho explains Vinicius Junior substitution ahead of Malaga clash
Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-1 on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, with Vinicius Junior scoring a goal and Kylian Mbappe completing a hat-trick. Coach Jose Mourinho substituted Vinicius in the 84th minute, bringing on Yan Diomande at the Santiago Bernabeu to give the Brazilian rest before Real Madrid’s upcoming LaLiga match against Malaga on Sunday, August 29. Mourinho said he would not have taken Vinicius off without the goal and the positive feeling of playing well in the second half.
The substitution matters because Vinicius is a fan favorite, especially among Nigerian supporters who follow his performances closely. Mourinho also noted that last season Vinicius occasionally faced whistles from the crowd, and resting him now lets him feel the affection of the fans while keeping him fresh for the busy schedule ahead.
With Malaga just three days away, will you trust Mourinho’s rotation to protect Vinicius for the long run, or do you expect your favorite star to play every match regardless of fatigue?