Jose Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to return as Real Madrid manager, but one question dominates the conversation: how will he handle his already fractured relationship with Vinicius Junior?

The Portuguese coach's contract is conditional on current president Florentino Perez winning the club's presidential election on 7 June. Should Perez retain his position, Mourinho will take charge at the Bernabeu for the second time — and inherit one of the game's most scrutinised players.

What happened between Mourinho and Vinicius Jr?

The tension between the two men surfaced publicly during this February's UEFA Champions League knockout play-off between Real Madrid and Benfica, which Mourinho was coaching at the time.

Vinicius had put Real Madrid ahead with a stunning goal and was booked for an exuberant celebration near the corner flag. Moments later, following an exchange with Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, the Brazilian ran to the referee and gestured toward the Argentina international. The referee activated UEFA's anti-racism protocol, halting play for nearly 10 minutes as tensions inside the stadium rose sharply. Vinicius and several team-mates temporarily left the pitch.

A Real Madrid statement confirmed that Vinicius had reported to the referee that Prestianni had racially abused him. Prestianni denied the allegation. UEFA subsequently suspended Prestianni for the second leg while an investigation was conducted. He was eventually handed a six-match ban — though not for racial abuse, as UEFA ruled there was insufficient evidence. The punishment instead related to a homophobic insult, which Prestianni admitted he had directed at Vinicius.

Mourinho's post-match comments drew fierce criticism

Mourinho was seen speaking with Vinicius as he walked off the pitch. However, it was the manager's words in his post-match press conference that drew the sharpest reaction.

While publicly defending Prestianni, Mourinho suggested that Vinicius had inflamed the situation through his goal celebration in front of the home crowd.