'People throw stones at trees with fruit' - Jose Mourinho defends Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe after Bernabeu whistles
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has publicly defended players Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe after they were whistled by home fans. Mourinho used a proverb to argue that star players are targeted because of their high value and performance expectations.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intense pressure and high expectations placed on elite athletes at major football clubs.
Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has mounted a strong defence of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe after the star pair faced whistles at the Santiago Bernabeu. Addressing the media before Saturday's Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho insisted both players are giving everything for the team.
Los Blancos prepare to return to Santiago Bernabeu action on Saturday to face Rayo Vallecano in Liga following a mixed run of results. A league defeat against Real Betis was followed by a hard-fought Champions League victory over Inter Milan .
However, the recent European win was marred by discontent in the stands. Sections of the home crowd directed whistles towards key forwards Vinicius and Mbappe during the match. Mourinho addressed the supporters' reaction during his Friday press conference. The manager offered a measured response while offering full support to his star attacking pair.
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