Mourinho seeking 'killer' Vinicius as Real Madrid face Rayo

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior is aiming to become his most lethal self, with new coach Jose Mourinho optimistic about his potential (Thomas COEX). Despite ongoing speculation about Vinicius potentially leaving for Arsenal, the Brazilian continues to be a crucial player for Madrid. He scored the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final and repeated the feat in 2024.

However, the challenge remains balancing a team centered on three attacking players like Vinicius, Kylian Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham. Former Madrid managers Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso, and Alvaro Arbeloa left the club, failing to win major titles since Mbappe's arrival. Madrid president Florentino Perez is a strong supporter of Vinicius, believing in him from the day he signed him at 16 in 2017.

Mourinho joined the club to help integrate Madrid's star players and turn their season around after a chaotic 2025/26 campaign. While Vinicius has shown promise statistically, he has yet to regain the decisive touch that made him one of Europe's most feared forwards. Mourinho praised the Brazilian's work-rate and noted that he deserves respect for his effort.

Vinicius has expressed his commitment to playing alongside Mbappe and credits Mourinho for convincing him to stay at Real Madrid. The coach emphasized the importance of Vinicius' willingness to work without the ball. Despite his current struggles, Mourinho remains confident that Vinicius will eventually decide matches, just as he did against Benfica last season.

The upcoming La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday is critical for Madrid to maintain their championship hopes.