José Mourinho defends Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr amid fan criticism

MADRID — Just days after securing a 2-1 victory over Italian champions Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has forcefully pushed back against supporters who subjected star forwards Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. To sharp whistles and jeers. Despite the winning start to Mourinho's second spell in charge, sections of the home crowd expressed lingering dissatisfaction with the team's attacking output and precision, setting up an unusual tension between the stands and the technical area ahead of domestic fixtures.

Addressing the press ahead of the upcoming home fixture against Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho invoked a traditional Portuguese proverb to explain the hostility directed at his marquee attackers, framing public criticism as a byproduct of elite expectations. While the veteran coach insisted that high-scoring forwards and hard-working wingers remain invaluable to the squad's core ambitions, analysts and observers point to broader underlying frustrations from last season's trophy drought as the primary catalyst for the supporters' unrest.

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Proverbial Defense and the Fruit Tree Analogy

Confronted with questions regarding the hostile reception aimed at Vinicius Jr. When he left the pitch against Inter Milan without a goal or an assist, Mourinho leaned on cultural idiom. According to Yahoo Sports, the manager explained, In Portugal, there is a proverb that I don't know if it exists in Spain: you only throw stones at trees that bear fruit.

Mourinho emphasized that Vinicius's past achievements, including multiple Champions League titles and decisive performances, such as sealing the tie against Benfica last season, make him a primary target for impatient fans seeking immediate results. Furthermore, Mourinho defended Mbappé using the exact same fruit-tree analogy. As reported by French Football Weekly, the manager dismissed notions that a prolific forward could harm the collective unit:

"Kylian is right. A player who scores 40 goals per season is not a problem for the team."

José Mourinho, Manager, via French Football Weekly

Statistical Realities and Defensive Commitment

Beyond offensive metrics, Mourinho underscored the physical data supporting his players' defensive contributions. While Vinicius has managed only a single goal in five appearances this campaign, internal performance tracking reveals an unprecedented physical workload. Mourinho noted that the Brazilian forward is operating close to his maximum velocity, having shattered personal records for high-intensity sprints, ball recoveries, and possessions won back in the defensive third.

Similarly, Mourinho praised Mbappé's willingness to track back under intense tactical demands. Detailing a late-match sequence against Inter Milan, AS reported that the manager highlighted seeing the French forward drop back deep into his own half to assist Marc Cucurella during the dying minutes of the match, describing the behavior as a joy to witness.

Underlying Fan Frustrations and Expert Perspectives

The public friction at the Bernabéu does not exist in a vacuum. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, speaking via Vanguard, noted that the supporters' lingering discontent is fundamentally tied to Real Madrid failing to secure a major trophy during the previous campaign. past transfer choices and public perceptions surrounding individual players have exacerbated the stadium's collective impatience.

Mbappé himself has remained pragmatic regarding the whistles from the stands. In an interview with L'Equipe quoted by Mundo Deportivo, the forward acknowledged the reality of playing in the Spanish capital:

"When you sign for Madrid, you know what you are getting into. It does not affect me too much. I understand the fans expressing their dissatisfaction."

Kylian Mbappé, Forward, via Mundo Deportivo

As preparations conclude for the weekend fixture against Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabéu, the immediate question remains whether the stadium unity demanded by Mourinho will materialize or if the underlying tensions between the supporters and their star forwards will persist through the demanding early-season schedule.