Vinicius Junior has shed light on his early impressions of working under new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, revealing the message the manager delivered to him as he continues preparations for the upcoming season amid swirling questions over his long-term future at the Bernabéu.
The Brazilian forward, who returned to Valdebebas for pre-season training following his commitments at the World Cup, underwent medical checks before jumping into a demanding double training session. Speaking to Real Madrid TV after his second day back with the squad, the 26-year-old detailed how the early stages of the campaign have unfolded.
"It has gone very well, getting to know the new coach and the new players and training very hard," Vinicius said. He went on to describe the specific guidance Mourinho has given him as he settles into the new setup. "Mourinho wants me to be as I have always been: happy, joyful and to play my football," the forward explained. "We have to prepare physically so that during the season, we have fewer injuries and thus be able to count on everyone."
Vinicius also gave insight into the intensity of the club's pre-season regime, describing a schedule built around building physical resilience ahead of the long campaign. "Yesterday, we had two sessions; today, just one. That's how it goes. Today we did some gym work and short exercises to put more load on the legs," he said. "It was a good training session, and we all left very tired, but now it's time to rest for tomorrow. That's how preseason is, and we have to be ready."
The comments arrive at a sensitive moment for both player and club, with Vinicius now entering the final year of his existing contract and no fresh agreement yet in place. That uncertainty has intensified speculation linking him with a possible departure, with Arsenal reported to be positioning themselves for a potential move should the situation develop further.
According to reports, talks between Vinicius's representatives and Real Madrid are expected to continue in the coming weeks as both parties assess the path forward. Arsenal, for their part, are said to be ready to act swiftly if presented with an opening, with the north London club eager to add a marquee attacking talent to their ranks. Sources close to the situation suggest the Gunners view the pursuit as trending in a positive direction, even though significant details remain unresolved.
Vinicius joined Real Madrid from Flamengo back in 2018 and has since established himself as one of the most influential attackers in world football. Over his eight seasons in the Spanish capital, he has claimed three La Liga titles and two Champions League crowns, while also finishing runner-up in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting behind Manchester City's Rodri. Last season alone, he found the net 22 times for Los Blancos.
Despite that pedigree, the forward is reportedly open to considering a fresh challenge away from the Bernabéu, a stance that has only heightened Arsenal's interest. The London club are also said to be maintaining their pursuit of other attacking reinforcements, including Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez, as they look to bolster their frontline ahead of the new campaign.
For now, attention remains on Vinicius's on-field development under Mourinho, with the Brazilian stressing his focus on adapting to the new coaching staff while preparations for the season continue in Madrid.
Based on reporting from Independent Football and Standard Football.