Vinicius Jr is settling into life under new Real Madrid manager José Mourinho with a positive outlook ahead of the 2026-27 season [1, 2, 3, 4]. The Brazilian forward described Mourinho as wanting him "to be happy, cheerful and playing my football," reflecting a supportive relationship between player and coach [1].
Vinicius is currently in the final year of his contract with Real Madrid, with ongoing negotiations to secure his future at the club [1, 2, 3, 4]. Meanwhile, English side Arsenal is exploring a potential transfer for the 24-year-old winger [1, 2, 3, 4].
Since joining Real Madrid, Vinicius has scored 128 goals and provided 100 assists, making him one of the club’s most productive attackers [1, 2, 3, 4]. At the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup, Vinicius was Brazil’s top scorer with four goals even as the national team exited in the last 16 [1, 2, 3, 4].
The player’s current focus is on physical preparation for the new season to reduce injuries and ensure the full squad can contribute consistently. He said, "We have to prepare physically so that during the season we have fewer injuries and can count on everyone" [1].
Pre-season training under Mourinho has been demanding but positive, with Vinicius noting, "It was a good training session and we all left very tired, but now it's time to rest for tomorrow. That's how pre-season is and we have to be ready" [1]. On August 4, Vinicius gave an upbeat assessment of his second day in training under the new coach [1, 2, 3, 4].
The next key moment will be to see if Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr reach an agreement to extend his contract before the current deal expires.
