Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho stated that Vinicius Jr requires "great emotional control" and claimed the winger is being bullied on the pitch. These comments followed Vinicius Jr receiving an avoidable yellow card during Real Madrid's 2-1 La Liga opening victory against Espanyol, after an argument with midfielder Cala in the first half. Vinicius Jr has reportedly been a target of regular abuse throughout his eight years at Real Madrid. Mourinho referenced a past incident where Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing the Brazilian, a claim Prestianni denied, during a time when Mourinho was with Benfica. Mourinho emphasized, "Now Vini Jr is mine. Vini Jr is not a saint, but what they do to him is too much."
