Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Santiago Canizares has suggested that Jose Mourinho should deploy Vinicius Jr as a back-up to number nine Kylian Mbappe rather than placing him straight back into the starting lineup on the left wing. Vinicius has been sidelined from Madrid’s last four league matches following a red card for pulling the hair of Villarreal player Nathan Saliba.
Vinicius Suspension and Team Form
The Brazilian forward received a four-match suspension, comprising two games for the initial offence and an additional two matches for his angry reaction to being dismissed. During his domestic absence, Madrid has found strong form, heading into the international break with four consecutive league victories that lifted them to second place in the standings, three points behind Barcelona.
Although Vinicius has featured in Champions League victories against Roma, RB Leipzig, and AEK Athens—since his suspension was restricted to domestic fixtures—he has found it difficult to make a significant impact. With summer signing Yan Diomande currently occupying his preferred left-wing position, Vinicius faces a tough challenge regaining a starting spot when Madrid return to La Liga action at home against Celta Vigo on November 21.
Alternative Role and Squad Chemistry
Canizares, who represented Madrid from 1994 to 1998 prior to a successful career at Valencia, stated that the Brazil international should adapt to a new position rather than returning to the role he has held for most of his time in Spain. Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, as reported by 101 Great Goals, Canizares said: “Now let’s see how it works. Vinicius is a player who obviously won’t go unnoticed, he [Mourinho] is not going to keep him out of the way and for me the solution is that he plays as a number nine, that he plays like Mbappé [as his back-up].”
Canizares noted that while Mbappe and Vinicius could potentially play together, doing so risks disrupting the team chemistry built by Mbappe, Diomande, and Arda Guler. He added: “The two on the field… the team can still win games, but they will no longer have the same identity, the same balance and the same good vibes.”
Furthermore, Canizares emphasized that Vinicius needs to put in more effort to align with the current tactical framework of the squad. He concluded: “This does not have a straightforward solution. If he [Mourinho] is capable of making Vinicius run and integrate him into the team dynamic, I will take my hat off to him.”
