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Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has come out strongly in support of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe after the high-profile duo were whistled by sections of the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu. Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday’s La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho stressed that both players are giving everything for the team.

Madrid return to action at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga after a mixed spell of results. A league loss to Real Betis was followed by a hard-earned Champions League win over Inter Milan.

That recent European victory, however, was overshadowed by frustration in the stands. Parts of the home support aimed whistles at attacking stars Vinicius and Mbappe during the game. Mourinho addressed the reaction from supporters in his Friday press conference, giving a balanced response while fully backing his two leading forwards.

Mourinho used a traditional Portuguese proverb to explain why fans were directing their frustration at two of Madrid’s biggest names. He urged supporters to appreciate what both attackers contribute to the side.

“In Portugal there is a proverb: you only throw stones at trees that have fruit,” Mourinho said, as quoted by 20Minutos. “You are not going to throw stones at a tree that gives you nothing. What Vini has done here in recent years, how many Champions Leagues he has won, how many goals he has scored, he is a tree that has a lot of fruit. People throw stones because they want fruit, they want the best from Vinicius.”

The manager also pointed to Mbappe’s defensive work against Inter. He praised the France forward for defending “like an animal” on the left wing alongside Marc Cucurella in the 90th minute while the team were down to ten men.

“I use the same proverb as I did for Vinícius,” Mourinho added. “There are things I see and value highly. I watched a team playing in the 90th minute, down to ten men for the final two minutes, and I saw Mbappe playing as a left-winger, defending while a man down, covering for Cucurella, who was already dead on his feet.

“Kylian was exhausted too, yet he spent those two minutes defending the left flank like an animal, urged on by a very demanding coach who wouldn't stop shouting and motivating him.”

Although Mourinho admitted he feels sad when supporters whistle their own players, he repeated that he will always support those who give their maximum on the pitch.

The Portuguese coach also referred to comments from defender Dean Huijsen, who had earlier described him as demanding. Mourinho agreed with that view, saying any player who gives everything has his full support, regardless of mistakes.

“I’ve read comments from Huijsen saying I’m a real pain, that I’m always on his case, and that’s somewhat true,” Mourinho said. “The expectation is that you give everything you have; and whoever gives everything isn't obliged to give more. When there is unity between team and stadium, you are almost unbeatable.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s La Liga meeting with Rayo, Mourinho made it clear that outside noise will not distract his squad. Although the club’s press department gives him summaries of media coverage, the manager said his attention remains fully on his day-to-day work.

Mourinho remains confident about the mentality within his group as they aim for three points in La Liga, insisting that neither media criticism nor whistles from the stands will change the spirit of his squad.