RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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SportsMoney Real Madrid Coach Mourinho Has FC Barcelona Dig At Press Conference By Tom Sanderson ,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tom Sanderson has been primarily based in Barcelona since 2019. Follow Author Aug 25, 2026, 06:24am EDT Aug 25, 2026, 06:31am EDT --:-- / --:-- This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more . Summary Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho took veiled swipes at FC Barcelona and addressed the "bullying" of Vinicius Jr. ahead of their match against Real Sociedad. Mourinho criticized the refereeing and VAR for failing to punish an incident where Vinicius was kicked, calling it an "aggression" deserving of expulsion. He compared opponents' treatment of Vinicius to children pushing boundaries, but still expressed trust in Spanish refereeing, subtly referencing the "Negreira" case. Returning to the Bernabeu after a decade, Mourinho downplayed his personal significance, urging fans to passionately support the team rather than idolize him. He emphasized the importance of the team feeling a renewed energy compared to last season.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho had what has been perceived as a dig at bitter rival FC Barcelona ahead of a La Liga meeting with Real Sociedad.
At a prematch press conference to preview his return to the Bernabeu, Mourinho was asked about the refereeing and “differential treatment” between Real Madrid and Barca.
“I didn’t watch every game of both last year, so I can’t tell you much,” Mourinho confessed.
“What I can say is that Vinicius Jr ’s general difference (in treatment) from other players is obvious. It has entered a spiral, opponents feel that they can do it and they do. It’s like little children, who go as far as you allow them to go. It’s a deal I don’t like. They kicked him. That is an aggression, it was an expulsion,” Mourinho added, about an incident in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Espanyol when the Brazilian was kicked in the back by the home team’s scorer Cala.
"Except for a few things, I really liked the refereeing. I understand that as for a red card for the kick to Vinicius, the referee hasn’t seen it. I understand that the fourth official did not want to, and I can say that VAR did not do its job very well.
“But I trust the Spanish refereeing. I always trust it, in the Champions League too. I don’t think something like 'he’s a friend of Negreira ’, no. They have had decisions that have influenced results, but it happens,” Mourinho said, in a veiled dig at FC Barcelona.
Wednesday’s match against La Real will of course be a first in the Spanish capital since Mourinho originally left the club more than a decade ago in 2013.
Mourinho doesn’t want any special treatment, however, just because of his name or social norms.
"I don’t want the Bernabeu to receive me in a particular way. I want it to welcome the team as its passion. At one point that love was going through a complicated phase last season. Now we are not starting from scratch.
“I’m not important,” Mourinho insisted. "I’m able to control my emotions and play normally in a game that is not normal because it’s a three-point game. I would like the team to feel something different from what it has felt last season."
Real Madrid vs. Real Sociedad will kick off at 21:00 local time on Wednesday evening in Spain.
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