Former Nigeria captain John Obi Mikel has called on his former manager José Mourinho to address controversial remarks surrounding Vinícius Júnior, insisting the Portuguese coach “got it wrong” and should publicly apologise.
Mikel, who enjoyed some of the most successful years of his club career under Mourinho, said he was surprised by comments suggesting that Vinícius should have behaved differently in the wake of a racism investigation. According to the former midfielder, what he expected to hear from his old boss was a clear and unequivocal stance that racism has no place in football.
Instead, Mourinho’s suggestion that the Real Madrid winger’s celebrations were part of the issue struck Mikel as misplaced. He described the remark as clumsy and out of character for a manager he knows well. “He will be the first to admit he messed up,” Mikel said, stressing that throughout his time playing under Mourinho he never witnessed or experienced any form of racist behaviour.
The former Chelsea star was emphatic in his defence of Mourinho’s personal character, insisting that no player who has worked with him could accuse him of racism. Yet he maintained that this was precisely why a clarification matter. In moments as sensitive as this, Mikel argued, the responsibility lies with influential figures to lead with clarity.
Mikel concluded by urging Mourinho to release a statement and apologise, framing it not as condemnation but as an opportunity for the veteran coach to reaffirm his position against discrimination. In an era where football continues to grapple with racism, even a poorly phrased comment can carry weight far beyond the touchline.