​Mourinho leaves Vinícius role open as Real Madrid weigh next stepJosé Mourinho has argued that Real Madrid should consider Vinícius Jr’s current form, not simply his reputation, when deciding how to help the forward return to his best. Speaking before the Villarreal match, Mourinho said selection should allow for different approaches and made clear that Vinícius deserved support rather than an automatic response of dropping him.Mourinho says selection must reflect the player’s situationThe Real Madrid coach was asked whether his decisions would be based on merit. He said meritocracy mattered, but that a player’s current situation should also shape the response, because some footballers need a different route back to form.Mourinho specifically identified Vinícius as the subject of the question. He described the forward as keen to improve and to again decide matches, while saying it pained him to see the player struggling to reach the level associated with his best performances.The coach’s comments do not amount to a promise that Vinícius will remain in the side. Mourinho raised the possibility of a specific plan that could involve the Brazilian not playing or being left on the bench, if that offered a better way to help him.A tailored approach does not guarantee a starting placeThat distinction was central to Mourinho’s answer: pure meritocracy, in which a player is left out whenever he is not performing well, can carry risks. In his view, some players take longer to recover their usual level, so selection may need to balance immediate performance with what could help them improve.José Mourinho – Photo: Ronnie Macdonald / CC BY 2.0The coach did not set out a timetable for any change in Vinícius’s role, nor did he confirm whether the forward would start against Villarreal. His comments instead left both possibilities open, with the decision dependent on what he considers the most useful approach for the player and the team.beIN SPORTS also reported Mourinho’s defence of Vinícius, highlighting his belief that the winger is working to regain his best level. The official Real Madrid account of the press conference likewise recorded Mourinho’s view that helping the player could require a different plan from simply keeping him in the team or dropping him outright.Madrid face Villarreal after a defeatThe discussion came as Madrid prepared for their La Liga meeting with Villarreal on Saturday, 9 October. Mourinho described the visitors as a high-level, Champions League-calibre opponent and said his side needed points after losing its previous match.His remarks put the focus on how he manages Vinícius through a difficult spell, rather than on any guaranteed place in the starting eleven. Mourinho’s support was clear, but so was his willingness to consider time out of the team if he believes that would help the forward return to his normal level.