Real Madrid superstar’s position in team at risk as Mourinho’s patience wears thin

Real Madrid superstar’s position in team at risk as Mourinho’s patience wears thin In a season that is already starting to create doubts among Real Madrid faithful, Vinicius Jr. has perhaps been the biggest disappointment so far. After signing a lucrative contract renewal in the summer, the Brazilian international has barely offered any returns, racking up only one goal in eight competitive matches. And it appears his place in the side is now under genuine threat. Mourinho’s patience wearing thin According to MARCA , Jose Mourinho’s patience with Vinicius is reaching its limit, and that was evident in the derby defeat to Atletico Madrid. Vinicius’ form has been worrying. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) The Brazilian was hauled off in the 54th minute after yet another underwhelming display, with Mourinho not hesitating to withdraw him. The same treatment was not handed to Kylian Mbappe, who saw out the full 90 minutes. It marked Vinicius’ fourth consecutive substitution, following his withdrawals against Inter Milan, Rayo Vallecano and Elche . Having earlier tried to carefully balance the minutes of both Vinicius and Mbappe to avoid any friction, Mourinho now appears to have abandoned that approach where the Brazilian is concerned. Mbappe has played seven full matches to Vinicius’ three, while the Frenchman has clocked 720 minutes to the Brazilian’s 652. A worrying drop-off While Mbappe has scored eight goals in eight games, Vinicius has managed just one goal and three assists, along with a penalty he won against Real Betis. Mourinho won’t hesitate to take a big call. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) That leaves him as only the fifth-highest scorer at the club, behind Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Arda Guler and Carlos Espi. Perhaps most alarming is that Espi, in just 26 minutes of football, has already bettered Vinicius’ goal tally across his five appearances. For a player who signed a big-money renewal in the summer, and who was once a Ballon d’Or contender, it represents a stark fall from grace. With Real Madrid five points adrift of Barcelona and Mourinho demanding more, Vinicius now faces a fight to reclaim his place in the starting eleven. Unless his form improves quickly, the Brazilian risks becoming a peripheral figure in a season that is already threatening to slip away from Los Blancos.