Rabat – Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has made it clear that no player is guaranteed a place in his starting lineup, insisting that performances on the pitch, rather than reputation or status, should determine a player’s position within the team.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, Mourinho rejected the idea that certain players should be considered untouchable.
“Only the club badge is untouchable,” Mourinho said.
The Portuguese coach explained that factors such as seniority, captaincy and the amount of money spent on signing a player should not influence decisions about who deserves to play.
He insisted that a player’s performances remain the decisive factor in determining their importance within the squad.
Mourinho addresses Vinicius’ position
Mourinho’s comments came after he was asked whether Vinicius Junior’s position in the team could be threatened by the recent performances of Ivorian winger Yan Diomande.
Diomande has impressed in recent matches, scoring during Real Madrid’s victory over Sevilla on Sunday while Vinicius was unavailable due to a four-match suspension in LaLiga.
The Brazilian winger received the suspension following his red card against Villarreal earlier this month.
However, the punishment does not apply to European competitions, allowing Vinicius to return for Wednesday’s Champions League encounter.
Mourinho confirmed that the Brazilian will play against Leipzig but declined to reveal whether Diomande would also feature in the starting lineup.
The situation has raised questions about how Mourinho plans to manage competition between his attacking players, particularly with several important fixtures approaching.
Mourinho admits Real Madrid still have work to do
Beyond individual performances, Mourinho acknowledged that Real Madrid remain some distance from reaching the level he expects.
The Portuguese coach, who returned to the club in June, said the team must continue improving both individually and collectively.
He explained that building a competitive side requires time, tactical adjustments and a better understanding of the players available.
Mourinho also defended his tactical flexibility, explaining that players such as Federico Valverde and Arda Guler can operate in different positions depending on the team’s needs.
Real Madrid will host RB Leipzig at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, looking to secure their third consecutive victory in the Champions League league phase.
The Spanish giants have already defeated Inter Milan and Roma in their opening two European matches.
The encounter comes just four days before Madrid travel to face Barcelona in El Clasico on October 25, making Mourinho’s team selection particularly important ahead of a demanding week.
