Jose Mourinho boycotts post-match press conference after Real Madrid victory

Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 11, 2026, but the game was overshadowed by the expulsion of Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian forward, who started on the bench, was sent off in the 71st minute for pulling the hair of Villarreal's Nathan Saliba. Following the match, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho refused to attend the mandatory post-match press conference and avoided media interviews for over 40 minutes, leading La Liga to formally notify journalists of his absence.

According to reports, Mourinho chose silence to avoid potential disciplinary actions that could keep him off the bench for upcoming high-profile matches against Sevilla and Barcelona. Despite his attempts to avoid conflict, the coach now faces potential disciplinary sanctions and heavy fines from La Liga for failing to meet his professional media obligations. The situation mirrors past tensions, specifically a 2025 Copa del Rey incident where the club boycotted media activities to protest referee appointments. Mourinho is expected to reappear publicly on Tuesday, October 13, for a Champions League press conference ahead of the match against Roma, though it remains uncertain if he will address the Villarreal controversy.