On 2026-10-11, Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 1-0 in LaLiga. The lone goal came from Yan Diomande, while Vinicius Junior saw a goal disallowed and later received a direct red card in the 71st minute for pulling the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba. The red card left Real Madrid with ten players for the rest of the match.
Turkish international Arda Güler started the match and was substituted in the 77th minute, a substitution noted in the match report.
After the final whistle, Mourinho made the surprising decision to cancel his scheduled post‑match press conference. According to club sources cited by Mundo Deportivo, he explained his absence by saying he wanted to be present on the bench for the forthcoming matches against Sevilla and Barcelona, and that speaking risked controversial remarks that could lead to a suspension. The manager also skipped obligations with official broadcasters, a move reminiscent of his stormy media relations during his first stint at the club.
The dismissal left the team with ten players and no player comments to the press.
Reporters were left waiting approximately forty minutes for a press conference that never began. In the aftermath, none of the Real Madrid players spoke to the press. The dismissal left the team with ten players and no player comments to the press.
Can they just let him play against Barcelona then suspend him after? I don't need no damn stupid excuses when I'm done beating Madrid.
Mourinho’s explanation points to a pragmatic calculation: by refraining from comments that could be deemed inflammatory, he hopes to avoid a touchline ban that would keep him from the dugout in two forthcoming LaLiga encounters. Mourinho now faces possible disciplinary sanctions and a heavy fine from La Liga.
The episode recalls Mourinho’s stormy relationship with the media during his initial period at Real Madrid, when he frequently avoided press conferences after contentious matches. The current stance appears to be a deliberate replay of that tactic, aimed at preserving his availability for the bench rather than engaging in a public debate.
As of the match date, Real Madrid holds a 1-0 victory over Villarreal, and Vinicius Junior received a red card during the match.