Desailly Urges Real Madrid to Sell Vinicius Jr Amid Struggles with Mbappe Partnership

Desailly Calls for Vinicius Junior's Sale to Resolve Tactical Issues

Marcel Desailly, former French international and 1998 World Cup winner, has stirred debate by suggesting Real Madrid should have sold Vinicius Junior during the summer transfer window. The reasoning stems from the ongoing difficulty of fitting both Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe in the starting lineup, which is believed to disrupt the team's balance.

Mourinho’s New Era Faces Challenges with Vinicius

The club embarked on a fresh chapter this season under returning manager Jose Mourinho. Vinicius committed to a long-term deal after drawn-out negotiations and interest from Arsenal, yet his form has dipped sharply since signing. A major factor seems to be his lackluster chemistry with Mbappe on the pitch, which has increased external pressure on both players.

Desailly Questions Keeping Both Forwards

Speaking on beIN Sports (via RM4Arab), Desailly expressed doubts about retaining both Vinicius and Mbappe. He believes selling Vinicius might have helped Los Blancos regain a better squad balance. The analyst said,

"I think Real Madrid should have let Vinicius leave. They need to look for other players. Once again, we are talking about the partnership between Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius. This partnership has not proven successful. So, in my personal opinion as an analyst, I think it would be better for him to leave, and let’s see whether he would be able to erase all the negative thoughts and opinions directed towards him."

Frustrations Rise Following Champions League Setback

Vinicius's struggles were clear in a recent Champions League match against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico. With Madrid down 3-1, Mourinho substituted him just before the hour mark after Vinicius lost possession leading to Roma’s second goal. His replacements, Endrick and Arda Guler, sparked a comeback that ended with a stunning victory for the hosts.

Vinicius showed visible frustration over his early substitution and later admitted feeling angry is natural because he always wants to contribute on the field. His difficulties continued with a four-match suspension in La Liga following a red card against Villarreal. He revealed he was caught off guard by the ban notification, learning about it only upon arriving at the stadium.

Mourinho Faces Upcoming Matches Without Vinicius

With the suspension in place, Mourinho must manage the next four league games, including the first Clasico of the season, without Vinicius. The coach may rely on Endrick and Guler to fill the gap after their impactful performance in Italy. This break might give Vinicius a chance to regroup away from the spotlight while allowing Madrid to test their attack without him.

• Next Match: Real Madrid vs Sevilla
• Competition: LaLiga
• Date: 18 Oct 2026
• Time: 22:00