Real Madrid manager José Mourinho did not hold back his fury following his side’s dramatic 4–3 victory over AS Roma on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Stadio Olimpico. Mourinho publicly criticized the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for delivering a four-match domestic ban to star winger Vinícius Júnior just two hours before kickoff.
The disciplinary panel issued the suspension following an incident in Real Madrid’s 2–1 La Liga victory over Villarreal on Saturday, October 10, 2026, where Vinícius was shown a red card for pulling an opponent’s hair. While the punishment applies strictly to domestic fixtures, Mourinho argued that releasing the official ruling as the squad arrived at the stadium was a deliberate attempt to unsettle his player.
”Do you think it’s normal for a player on a Spanish team, about to play an important match for Spanish football, to find out two hours beforehand that he’s been suspended for four games?” Mourinho told media representatives in his post-match press conference. “We found out on the bus, almost as we were arriving at the stadium… Things are being done shamelessly now.”
Despite learning about his long-term domestic ban shortly before taking the field, Vinícius Júnior started the Champions League encounter.
Real Madrid found themselves trailing 3–1 in the second half before launching a remarkable late comeback. Goals from substitutes Carlos Espí and Endrick, alongside a 90th-minute winner from Antonio Rüdiger, secured all three points for Mourinho’s side.
The suspension rules Vinícius out of crucial upcoming domestic encounters, most notably the high-stakes El Clásico showdown against rivals FC Barcelona. However, the Brazilian winger remains available for Real Madrid’s next European fixture against RB Leipzig on October 21.
