Julen Guerrero's Warning to Vinicius Jr.: Rediscover Your 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, questioned not just the winger’s numbers, but his entire approach to the game.

Guerrero sees a different player now.

“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 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,” he said, via Defensa Central.

The criticism lands at a time when Vinicius’ influence has clearly dipped. The bursts of brilliance are still there, but the relentless, game-after-game threat that once defined him has faded. The swagger has turned patchy, the finishing unreliable.

Mbappé not the answer on the left

Despite the doubts, Guerrero expects Jose Mourinho to keep backing Vinicius. Not out of sentiment, but because he doesn’t see Kylian Mbappé as a natural fit for that left flank.

“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'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,” Guerrero added.

It is a blunt assessment. For Guerrero, the left side is still Vinicius’ territory. Mbappé, in his view, should be closer to goal, roaming between the lines or operating as a second striker, not tracking full-backs or dropping into deeper defensive duties.

Madrid’s bigger problem: switching off

Guerrero did not limit his criticism to individuals. He also pointed to a worrying collective trait that resurfaced in Real Madrid’s chaotic 3-2 win over Elche.

Madrid led by two and looked comfortable. Then they relaxed. Elche came back. Only a stoppage-time winner from Carlos Espí spared Mourinho’s side from a damaging collapse.

“What's most concerning is their switching off. 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.”

The message is clear. A team with this much attacking talent cannot drift through games, cannot pick and choose when to engage. Not if they want to dominate a season that will demand maximum focus from the first minute to the last.

For Vinicius, that warning cuts even deeper. Madrid can’t afford to switch off. Neither can their left-wing star.