Mourinho makes shock Vinicius Jr captaincy call amid Real Madrid contract talks

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Jose Mourinho has dropped the biggest hint yet that Vinicius Junior is at Real Madrid for the long term, with the new manager ready to hand the controversial Brazil international winger a captaincy role at the Bernabeu this season.

Vini Jr’s future at Los Blancos has been in doubt for months. The 25-year-old has a long-running contract dispute with his employers, with his current deal set to expire at the end of June 2027. Should the current situation persist until January, he will be able to discuss terms with rival clubs regarding a move as a free agent – a situation Real Madrid are understandably desperate to avoid.

But there is optimism in Spain’s capital that Vini will shun big-money interest from the Saudi Pro League and sign a new deal, with Mourinho spearheading the drive to secure the future of the winger, according to a report in AS.

Optimism over Vini Jr talks

Mourinho, who was named as Real Madrid’s new manager last month, is ready to throw his full weight behind Vini Jr. Indeed, he has even named him as a second captain of the club, the Spanish source reports.

Fresh contract talks were held following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup, and while these failed to produce a breakthrough, a new round of discussions are expected at the end of the months.

AS claims: “Both the player and the directors of the club conveyed to the other party the clear intention of reaching an agreement that would result in the extension of the contract.

“Optimism has grown and the figures point to a contract extension for the striker.”

Mourinho working his magic already

Part of the thinking behind Mourinho’s surprise return to Real Madrid is the Portuguese manager’s ability to deal with backroom issues, which have dogged Los Blancos for much of the last year and undermined the whole of last season.

Vini Jr was among the discontented players, notably leading a rebellion against previous manager Xabi Alonso, who was sacked in January largely because he lost the dressing room.

Mourinho has already tidied up the case of Aurelien Tchouameni, who is set to remain at the club after being heavily linked with a move to Manchester United, and Vinicius is set to be the next player to commit his future to the club.

Having been left to feel peripheral to the plans of Alonso, Vini Jr has instantly been made a central part of Mourinho’s blueprint thanks to his commitment to giving the Brazilian a captaincy role.

The Portuguese promises to have a busy year with contract negotiations. Aside from Vini Jr, Brahim Diaz, Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger all have deals that expire next June.