​SER: Vinícius Should Have Been Training, but Real Madrid Arranged a Long Trip to Dubai for an Ad Shoot

November 7 – On Friday, Vinícius Júnior did not appear for Real Madrid's group training. His absence was not due to Saturday's match against Valencia — the final game of his four-match suspension, which he was ineligible for anyway — nor was it related to joining up early with the Brazil national team, as he had already been named in the squad. The real reason for his absence was that he had been granted permission to fly to Dubai for the weekend. SER radio commented on the player's itinerary and the club's arrangement.

Real Madrid explained that the trip stemmed from a collaboration project between the club and the UAE, with Vinícius tasked with shooting promotional material for the Dubai tourism authority. SER commentator Pacojo Delgado did not agree: "In my judgment, what Vinícius most needs right now is to stay at the training ground, sharpen his form, and rediscover his impact in matches — not fly overseas for a commercial shoot." In his view, the series of events surrounding Real Madrid's No. 7 this season all seem abnormal and difficult to accept. Pacojo added: "I'm not asking him to travel with the squad to Valencia to cheer from the stands, but staying at Valdebebas to train and await the national team call-up would clearly have been the more appropriate plan. This can no longer be put down solely to the player's personal choice — the club also bears responsibility."

"Vinícius hasn't just missed a training session; the long round trip will add to his physical load and increase the risk of injury. His current performances are clearly some way from the peak level he showed two years ago when he was pushing for the Ballon d'Or, and he urgently needs training to regain form. He was already set to travel with Brazil to Japan and Singapore for international matches, adding intercontinental travel on top — and now there's an extra trip to Dubai on top of that."

It is understood that the shoot was a commercial assignment arranged by Real Madrid. Journalist Antón Meana, who regularly covers training at Valdebebas, explained after Friday's session: "He was indeed absent from the training ground. In my view, training more with his teammates and showing the right attitude on media open days would only benefit him. But it must be said that he cannot play in this round of league fixtures, the trip was approved by the club, and he is in Dubai taking part in an official Real Madrid commercial activity."

The radio host also remarked that the club should not later complain about the media sparking discussion. At this stage, Vinícius remains constantly in the spotlight. In Friday's interview, a journalist specifically asked Mourinho about his condition and whether he would continue to start him after the suspension ended. Mourinho responded: "A competent coach must do everything possible to help a player maintain his best condition — try different tactical ideas, have one-on-one conversations. Average players struggle to change their fundamental level, but even top stars inevitably go through dips in form. As for Vinícius's performance in Athens, if an ordinary player had produced that kind of display, the external criticism might actually have been less harsh."

Source: SER