Vinícius booed at the Bernabéu as Mourinho steps in to defend him

There's something that stings more than a missed shot: getting booed by your own fans. That's what Vinícius Júnior went through on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu, during Real Madrid's 4-1 win over RB Leipzig. The Brazilian was subbed off in the 70th minute to a mix of lukewarm applause and whistles that no longer come as much of a surprise as they should.

The number behind much of the frustration is simple: Vinícius has gone nine games without scoring for the club. So far this season he has just one goal and three assists in 11 matches, numbers that fall well short for a player used to deciding finals and competing for individual awards.

Asked about the fans booing his own player on home turf, José Mourinho didn't dodge the question and offered a thought that applies to any player who's ever felt the weight of a crowd turning on him:

When you're on the field and get booed away from home, it's often a boost for your motivation. When it happens at home, it hurts.José Mourinho

The timing doesn't help. Vinícius served the first match of a four-game LaLiga suspension over the weekend, meaning he'll be out of action for roughly 14 days. The player himself hinted at his frustration on social media after Wednesday's game, with a brief but telling message: "Living in the moment. Everything passes," alongside a winking emoji.

Mourinho and Mbappé come to his defense

Asked about the Brazilian's state of mind, Mourinho was clear: only the player himself can say whether he feels down, but the coach said he was satisfied with what he saw on the field. According to Mourinho, Vinícius "put in a good tactical performance" and "defended very well," on top of having had a clear chance to score a brilliant goal that was denied by a great save from the opposing goalkeeper.

Asked how Vinícius can get back to his best level, given that he won't be able to play for the next two weeks due to the suspension, Mourinho was direct with TNT Sports Brasil: work, work. The player can't compete, but he can train his body with an individualized plan. The coach stressed that even without a goal or a standout performance, Vinícius still had a good game for the team.

Kylian Mbappé also stepped up to back him, after being named MVP of the match for setting up Real Madrid's second goal and scoring the third himself. The Frenchman says he has full confidence that his teammate's moment will come:

He's doing well. It's good that he's upset because it means he wants to give a lot to the team and the fans. I think he just needs to stay calm and be proud of who he is. A great player should always feel proud of himself and build confidence, because the quality is there.Kylian Mbappé

Between the suspension, the boos and the weight of expectations, Vinícius is facing a demanding stretch of the season. The locker room and the bench have his back; now it's up to the numbers to follow.