Julen Guerrero's Warning to Vinicius Jr.: Rediscover the Hunger
Julen Guerrero has delivered a sharp warning to Vinicius Jr., insisting the Brazilian must rediscover the hunger that once made him one of Real Madrid’s most terrifying weapons.
The Athletic Bilbao legend, speaking about Vinicius’ uneven start to the 2026/27 campaign, did not hide his concern. The winger’s influence has dipped well below the electric standard he set at his peak, and Guerrero believes the problem runs deeper than a few missed chances.
“Vinicius doesn't seem to have the same ambition and desire as before, the drive to attack, to take on defenders, to do all the things he does so well,” he said, as relayed by Defensa Central. “He seems more complacent and is making a lot of mistakes. He needs to rediscover the joy of wanting to be number 1, as he has wanted to be for so long.
“Right now, he's far from his best form.”
Those are heavy words for a player who not long ago was carrying Real Madrid’s attack in the biggest games. Vinicius still produces flashes of that old brilliance, moments where he isolates a full-back and the Bernabéu rises in expectation. But those moments are no longer a constant. The threat comes in bursts, not waves.
Mbappé not the answer on the left
With Vinicius searching for form, the obvious question hangs in the air: could Kylian Mbappé take his place on the left?
Guerrero doesn’t buy it.
“I don't see Mbappe on the left. I think Mourinho wants to get Vinicius back to his defensive role, and I don't think Mbappé is suited for that,” he argued.
For Guerrero, Mbappé’s game is built around goals and penalty-box presence, not the dirty work out wide.
“He's focused on goals, on being up front, and resting when he doesn't have the ball. That's why Mourinho doesn't see him playing alongside Espi.
“I see him more as an attacking midfielder with freedom, with Espí pinning the centre-backs, than on the left. In his mind, he wants to stay up front. In any case, that position belongs to Bellingham.”
The message is clear: Mourinho will likely keep backing Vinicius on the left, not out of sentiment, but because he doesn’t view Mbappé as a natural fit there. The Brazilian’s finishing may be faltering, but tactically, that flank is still his territory to reclaim.
Madrid’s dangerous habit
Guerrero’s criticism did not stop at individuals. He turned his attention to a wider problem exposed in Real Madrid’s 3-2 win over Elche, a match that should never have turned into a stoppage-time rescue act.
Madrid led 2-0 and looked comfortable. Then they drifted. Elche struck back, the lead vanished, and only a late goal from Carlos Espí spared Mourinho’s side from a damaging collapse.
“What's most concerning is their switching off,” Guerrero warned. “The first half was comfortable, without playing excellent football, but with everything under control.
“They didn't press high, nor did they seem to have tremendous ambition. Elche combined quite comfortably, but Madrid has much more firepower.”
It is a stinging assessment: a team with superior talent easing off the throttle, inviting trouble. For a club that measures seasons in trophies, not just results, that kind of complacency is a red flag.
Vinicius searching for his old fire. Mbappé locked into a central, goals-first role. A team that can blow opponents away but sometimes chooses not to. Mourinho has the names. The question now is whether he can restore the edge.
