Real Madrid News
Atletico Madrid loanee defends Real Madrid ace Vinicius: “Because he is better”

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has reached a difficult point in his career in Spain. The Brazilian is the most fouled player in Europe’s top five leagues by a sizeable margin and also regularly faces racial abuse from opposition fans.
While a significant fraction of fans feel that Vinicius is targeted unfairly on the field, there are some who hold the opinion that he is the creator of his own situation through provocative actions.
Atletico Madrid loanee Joao Felix recently gave an interview where he spoke about the Brazilian winger’s delicate situation.
The Portuguese phenom, who joined Chelsea on loan in January, supported the Real Madrid player and refused to accept that Vinicius was at fault in any way, as revealed by AS.
“Vinicius does not provoke. Maybe they criticize him because he is better than the others,” he said.
Felix then went on to highlight the importance of maintaining the edge in football and added that football was far more than just shooting and defending.
“I don’t understand the criticism against Viní Jr. You (journalists) say he ‘provokes’, but he is not provocative. It’s his football. Football is not just shooting or defending. Football should have magic.”
Vinicius has participated in all 20 La Liga games for Real Madrid so far this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in the process. He was once again on point when the European champions took on Al Ahly in the Club World Cup semifinal earlier this week and scored the team’s opener to blow the tie open.
Serious steps must be taken to curb the atrocities the youngster faces on the field, both physically and psychologically. If not, the men in white could stand to lose one of their brightest stars.

Real Madrid News
Real Madrid not contemplating rehiring Jose Mourinho with Ancelotti’s future uncertain

Carlo Ancelotti’s uncertain future has caused a severe rise in reports over potential replacements for the manager post at Real Madrid. There is no shortage of options for the administration at the Santiago Bernabeu as they continue to scout the right man to take the team forward.
Jose Mourinho was one of the candidates speculated to be considered internally at the club. However, MARCA has come out to deny such a possibility. As it stands, Real Madrid do not consider the return of the former manager as an option.
Over the past few years, it has become common to see the Merengues look towards managers for a second stint. The formula worked wonders when they brought back Zinedine Zidane in 2019 for a new term and he pioneered a ten-match winning streak to give his side the edge over Barcelona to clinch La Liga.
Their next step led them to Ancelotti, who had already managed the team before, and the result was similar. In the first season of his second stint, he led Los Blancos to the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.
It is thus not surprising that Mourinho’s name has re-emerged as a candidate to arrive next summer. The Portuguese led the side from 2010-2013 and took down Barcelona’s golden generation to win one La Liga, one Copa Del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup. The Champions League was the one big void in his achievements in Spain.
The 60-year-old tactician currently serves as the manager of AS Roma in Serie A and has seen moderate success at the club. The Italians sit fifth on the table with 14 wins in 27 games. They have scored 35 goals and conceded 26 in their league run so far.
A second stint at the Santiago Bernabeu, however, is not on the cards for the Portuguese.