According to a report by Football Transfer on Monday November 9, 2026, Vinicius Junior could face an uncomfortable situation when he returns from his La Liga suspension, with Jose Mourinho reportedly preparing to remove the Brazilian forward from Real Madrid's starting lineup.

The winger missed four consecutive league matches after receiving a suspension for pulling Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba's hair. During his absence, Madrid won all four games, scoring twelve goals and collecting maximum points.

Those victories included an important El Clasico triumph, helping Los Blancos reduce Barcelona's advantage at the summit to just three points. Meanwhile, Yan Diomande has impressed considerably while occupying Vinicius' preferred left-wing position.

According to Spanish publication AS, Mourinho is considering retaining the Ivory Coast international in that role, potentially leaving Vinicius struggling to regain his regular starting position when he becomes available again.

Although Mourinho has publicly defended the Brazilian, his recent comments suggest that individual reputations will not influence his selection decisions. Following Madrid's Champions League victory against AEK, he emphasised the importance of prioritising collective success.

The Portuguese manager explained that he would never sacrifice the team's interests to accommodate an individual footballer. He also acknowledged that talented players experience difficult performances and insisted Vinicius must continue working.

However, behind the public support, reports suggest the Brazilian is no longer guaranteed a starting position. His inconsistent performances have reportedly placed him in an increasingly difficult situation at the Spanish giants.

Vinicius' circumstances also create financial concerns for Madrid. His contract, reportedly worth €130 million across six years, reflects his superstar status, but his current performances have raised questions about that investment.

The Brazilian has managed just one goal and three assists in twelve appearances this season. His attacking contribution places him below several teammates, including Diomande and Arda Guler, in Madrid's attacking statistics.

Kylian Mbappe remains the team's leading attacking performer, while Guler and Diomande have strengthened their positions through impressive contributions. Their progress makes competition for attacking places increasingly difficult.

Nevertheless, Mourinho is unlikely to abandon Vinicius completely, considering his previous achievements and outstanding potential. The Brazilian must rediscover his confidence and productivity if he hopes to reclaim his starting position.

Ultimately, Vinicius faces an important test of determination, with Real Madrid expecting him to respond positively and demonstrate why he deserves his enormous salary and prominent position within the squad.