Vinicius Jr embraces Mourinho's 'happy football' as Real Madrid contract talks stall and Arsenal circle

Return to training

Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid's pre-season on Monday after an extended break following Brazil's World Cup campaign. The 26-year-old forward, one of the lynchpins of the attack, completed a double session on his first day and a single session with gym work on Tuesday, speaking to Real Madrid TV after the second day. He described the start as positive.

It has gone very well, getting to know the new coach and the new players, and training very hard.

Mourinho's message

The Brazilian revealed the instructions he received from José Mourinho, who returned to the club this summer as successor to Álvaro Arbeloa. Mourinho's demand was simple: remain true to himself.

Mourinho wants me to be as I have always been: happy, cheerful and playing my football.

The Portuguese coach's philosophy of "happy football" has been a talking point since his appointment, and Vinicius appears to have embraced it immediately.

Contract uncertainty

Behind the upbeat training ground scenes, Vinicius's future remains unresolved. He is in the final year of his Real Madrid contract, which expires in June 2027, and negotiations over an extension have yet to produce an agreement. Premier League champions Arsenal are monitoring the situation and exploring a potential transfer, according to Spanish and British media reports. It emerged last month that the Gunners were examining the possibility of a move. Vinicius has scored 128 goals and provided 100 assists for Real Madrid, and the club is reluctant to lose him on a free transfer next summer.

Pre-season grind

Vinicius stressed the importance of physical preparation after a demanding World Cup where he scored four goals, making him Brazil's top scorer, before their last-16 exit.

We have to prepare physically so that during the season we have fewer injuries and can count on everyone.

Monday's double session was followed by a lighter Tuesday: "Today we did a bit of gym and short work to load the legs more. It was a good training session and we all left very tired, but now it's time to rest for tomorrow."

Looking ahead

Real Madrid continue their pre-season with a friendly against Hungarian side Ferencváros in Budapest on Saturday. The match will be Vinicius's first appearance under Mourinho and an early glimpse of the new tactical setup. Vinicius acknowledged the fatigue but accepted it as part of the process: "Pre-season is like that and we have to be ready." The club balances on-field preparations with off-field contract negotiations as the new campaign approaches.