José Mourinho backs Vinícius and Mbappé in the face of criticism: “You only throw stones at the tree that bears fruit”
In the lead-up to Real Madrid’s clash against Rayo Vallecano, José Mourinho has come to the defense of his stars, Vinícius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé. The Portuguese strategist used a proverb from his homeland to explain the pressure surrounding his stars: “In Portugal, we say that you only throw stones at trees that have fruit. You don’t throw stones at a tree that gives nothing.”
Mourinho emphasized that the fans’ demands on Vinícius are a response to his enormous quality and the successes achieved recently. Although he acknowledged that the Brazilian has not yet reached his best version, he highlighted his defensive commitment and work ethic, stressing that he has broken personal records in ball recoveries. “The best of Vini is yet to come,” the coach declared.
Mbappé’s commitment and the locker room’s demands
Regarding Kylian Mbappé, the Madrid coach highlighted his collective sacrifice, citing a recent example where the French forward defended with intensity even in the final minutes. “I have seen him play like an animal, defending with everything, even when exhausted,” Mourinho stated, valuing the attacker’s commitment above any other circumstance.
I respect the player who makes a mistake, but who has given everything, wanted to help, and has played with empathy towards his teammates and respect for the badge. That type of player will always have me by his side.
José Mourinho, Real Madrid manager
A team focused beyond the rumors
Mourinho remained firm regarding external criticism, pointing out that both he and his players stay away from social media and the press. He assured that the squad’s morale will not be affected by whistles or negative comments. When asked about the analysis of the recent Champions League victory against Inter, the coach lamented that certain sectors prefer to ignore the positive aspects of the game.
“There are people who understand football, but it suits them well not to talk about the good things. They say we could have conceded more goals, but they don’t mention that we could have scored eight. We continue on our path, with the firm commitment to work for and on behalf of Real Madrid,” concluded the strategist.
