Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho issued a clear message to his squad on Tuesday, emphasizing that no player at the club is “untouchable,” underscoring a performance-based approach to team selection. The statement came amid ongoing scrutiny of Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, who has struggled with form this season and is currently serving a four-match suspension in La Liga for an on-field incident involving hair-pulling.

Vinicius, nevertheless, is eligible to play in Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League fixture against RB Leipzig on Wednesday. Mourinho confirmed that Vinicius would start on the left wing in the match but refrained from revealing whether Ivorian winger Yan Diomande, the club’s record 140 million euro signing who has impressed recently, would also feature. Diomande scored in Madrid’s recent La Liga victory over Sevilla in Vinicius’s absence, intensifying questions about team dynamics.

“Only the club badge is untouchable,” Mourinho said when asked about Vinicius’s place in the team, stressing that status, transfer fees, or duration at the club do not guarantee a starting spot. “What makes a player untouchable is his performance on the pitch.” The coach reiterated his preference to evaluate players solely based on their contributions and form, rejecting the concept of guaranteed selection.

Real Madrid currently sit third in La Liga, six points behind league leaders Barcelona, whom they will face in an upcoming away match. Mourinho expressed candid realism about the team’s progress, acknowledging that despite three to four months into his tenure, the squad remains some distance from his expectations. “It’s impossible to be where we want to be already,” he said, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement both individually and collectively. “I understand the demands (at this club) are the maximum,” he added, reflecting on his previous spell at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013.

French defender Ibrahima Konate, who has experience under Mourinho’s management at previous clubs, commented on the coach’s leadership style, noting that Mourinho commands respect within the squad.

Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League match against RB Leipzig represents an opportunity to maintain a perfect group stage record, with the club seeking its third consecutive victory in the competition. Meanwhile, the challenges in domestic competition underline Mourinho’s focus on building a team that meets the high standards expected at one of Europe’s elite clubs.