In an interview with El Chiringuito‘s Josep Pedrerol, Mourinho opened up on the role he played in coaxing Vinicius away from the clutches of Arsenal. The Special One rejected claims that the contract renewal was solely down to him, insisting the forward has fallen in love with Madrid. However, the Portuguese manager admitted he held a direct and honest discussion with the star to help persuade him to remain in Spain.
“Obviously I talked to him, but Vinicius has fallen in love with Real Madrid,” Mourinho revealed. The only thing I told him was: ‘Vini, where do you want to go? You’ve only been in Brazil and you only know Real Madrid… You only understand Real Madrid when you leave. When you leave, that’s when you realise what Real Madrid is. Don’t leave. It’s not worth it’.”