Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has stressed that the club’s badge comes before any individual player, responding to questions about Vinícius Júnior’s reported status as an “untouchable” figure at the Spanish giants.

Mourinho made the comments at a presser ahead of Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League clash with German side RB Leipzig on Wednesday, October 21.

The remarks come as Vinícius returns to the squad after missing Madrid’s 4-1 La Liga victory over Sevilla while serving the first match of a four-game suspension.

Mourinho’s position underlines his view that no player is bigger than the club, regardless of their status or importance to the team.

“The badge is untouchable. I don’t like this concept of an untouchable player. “

“What makes players untouchable isn’t their status, the captain’s armband, or the years they’ve spent at the club.”

“Nor is it about how much was paid for them. What makes a player untouchable is their performance on the pitch” Mourinho said.