According to Football Transfer on Monday, November 9, 2026, Vinicius Junior may face greater competition for a starting place at Real Madrid when his suspension ends. Manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly considering keeping Yan Diomande on the left wing.

Vinicius has missed Madrid’s past four La Liga matches after being suspended for pulling the hair of Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba. Madrid have performed strongly without him, winning all four games and scoring 12 goals.

That run included a significant El Clasico victory over Barcelona, which cut Madrid’s deficit at the top of the table to three points. The team’s success has prompted debate over whether Mourinho should keep the current attacking setup instead of immediately restoring Vinicius to the starting lineup.

Diomande, an Ivory Coast international, has made the most of Vinicius’s absence. The young winger has reportedly impressed in his preferred position on the left, giving Mourinho another option in attack.

Spanish newspaper AS says Mourinho is considering leaving Diomande in that role even after Vinicius is available again. If so, Vinicius may have to compete for his place rather than return automatically to the first team.

Mourinho has publicly backed Vinicius, but his recent comments suggest that the team’s needs come first. After Madrid’s Champions League win over AEK, he said he would not put an individual player ahead of the team’s success.

Mourinho also noted that even gifted players can go through difficult spells and said Vinicius must keep working to improve. His remarks have drawn attention as reports suggest the forward’s place may be less secure.

Vinicius’s numbers this season have also prompted questions about his form. In 12 appearances, he has scored once and provided three assists, leaving him behind several teammates in Madrid’s attacking statistics.

Kylian Mbappe remains the team’s leading attacking player, while Diomande and Arda Guler have also strengthened their cases for regular selection. Their performances have added to the competition for places in Madrid’s forward line.

Despite the uncertainty, Vinicius remains an important player thanks to his past achievements and attacking quality. His return from suspension will give him a chance to show that he still merits a regular starting role.

Mourinho’s task will be to blend individual talent with the team’s recent success. It remains to be seen whether Vinicius will return straight to the starting lineup or have to earn his place again as Real Madrid’s campaign continues.