Mijatović says Diomandé should not be set against Vinícius

“Diomandé is not better than Vinícius” is the message from Pedja Mijatović, the former Real Madrid player, as the Brazilian forward faces criticism this season. Mijatović believes Diomandé’s ability to influence a match is no reason to compare the two as if one must replace the other. He believes Vinícius can return to his best, while stressing that there is no need to rush that recovery.

Vinícius is going through a difficult spell. His level has fallen considerably, and he has been suspended for 4 matches in La Liga after being sent off against Villarreal. Mijatović said he misses seeing him and is confident he will recover. Speaking on “El Larguero”, he said: “I miss Vinícius a little, and I am convinced he will recover. We have to give him some time and not put too much pressure on him.”

The former Madrid player also pointed to a recent moment that showed the forward’s frustration. In the Champions League match Real Madrid won 4-1 against Leipzig, Vinícius left the field in the 70th minute and Diomandé came on for him. Vinícius was sad and frustrated as he went off. Mijatović’s view is that Diomandé’s introduction can give the team another option without serving as a verdict on Vinícius’s ability.

“With Diomandé, we have a player capable of making a difference, and that does not mean he is better than Vinícius,” he said. He added that there was no reason to hurry: “We have to wait, and his best days will inevitably come.” His message is both support for the Brazilian and a warning against treating competition for a place as a final judgement on his worth.

Kylian Mbappé also addressed his teammate’s reaction after the Leipzig match. He said Vinícius’s sadness showed how much he wanted to contribute to the team and its supporters, and encouraged him to stay calm and be proud of himself. Mijatović also named Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois among the Real Madrid players he had seen at their best against Leipzig.

On Bellingham, he praised his performances, his importance to the team and the confidence he inspires, adding that Mourinho relied heavily on him and that the players admired him. As for Courtois, he called him “the best goalkeeper in the world”, stressing that his saves and the security he provides are as valuable as his teammates’ goals or attacks.