Report: The deep-rooted problem Mourinho must solve around Real Madrid superstar’s situation | OneFootball

The hostility against Vinicius Jr. appears to be at an all-time high, for the Real Madrid superstar can seemingly not enter a single stadium without facing the wrath of fans.

Needless to say, the situation around the winger is simply not normal. In the past few weeks, Vinicius has faced boos from the crowd at pre-season venues he has never played at, as well as in the team’s very first game of the new season.

At this point, the pattern has become so repetitive that it has been normalised, and it does not bode well for the player.

Mourinho’s first task

As reported by AS, Jose Mourinho’s success at Real Madrid is no longer dependent on solving superficially rooted problems like improving the synchrony between Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe or making the Brazilian work defensively.

Mourinho is solving the wrong problem. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Instead, his primary focus must be on the deep-rooted problem that is now growing increasingly clear – the psychological aspect.

The manager must strive to protect the player against all forms of hostility against him, and more importantly, stop every game from being a war against him.

After all, playing amidst such turbulence and psychologically challenging conditions week in and week out undoubtedly takes its toll, more so in a world that seemingly does not understand Vinicius.

A question of the player’s mental health

Football has always been a sport where fans have actively participated in encouraging the team in highs and criticising them in lows. In that sense, a player being booed is not necessarily harsh.

How much torture is too much? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Vinicius’ situation, however, is clearly growing out of control and questions have to be asked about where the line must be drawn.

At this point, the player is clearly being kept from his best version simply by the ruthless atmosphere that surrounds him, and it is difficult to perform when placed under a magnifying glass in every clash.

Beyond the sporting aspect, in fact, the question is now one for the player’s mental health, and it is shameful how matters have escalated to this point without any intervention.