Mourinho faces the challenge of reintegrating Vinicius after sanction

Vinicius played his last match with Real Madrid at the Mestalla against Valencia (0‑3), serving the four‑match league ban imposed for his red card against Villarreal.

The white team has improved markedly without him, and the big question mark is the decision Mourinho will make now that the Brazilian is available again.

Cañizares commented on this on COPE, noting that “now we’ll see how he fits it” regarding Mourinho’s choice with the player’s return.

He added that “Vinicius is a player who will obviously not go unnoticed, he won’t be taken out of the middle”, and suggested as a solution that “for me the answer is that he plays as a number 9, that he plays for Mbappé”.

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According to Cañizares, Vinicius is the possible replacement and, although both can win games, his absence will alter the identity, balance and good vibes of the side.

LaLiga honoured Mourinho in Valdebebas, and Cañizares said “if he can get Vinicius moving and integrate him into the rhythm, it’s hat‑off material”.

The commentator also highlighted Bellingham, describing him as “a very generous guy who, when he sees people slacking off, gives them a piece of his mind and, even if he wants to, it’s never the same”.

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The interview was conducted in front of the AEK Athens camera, with Thanassis Stavrakis and the Ap‑LaPresse agency from Madrid present.