Real Madrid coach [Jose Mourinho](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mourinho) warned on Tuesday that no member of his squad is "untouchable" as the team prepares to host [RB Leipzig](https://www.dierotenbullen.com) in the Champions League on Wednesday. The statement came while Vinícius Júnior serves a four‑match La Liga ban for an on‑field hair‑pulling incident, yet remains available for the European fixture.
Only the club badge, Mourinho said, is immune from criticism. He added that a player's status, the captaincy, tenure, or transfer fee do not make him invulnerable; performance on the pitch does. "I don’t like the concept of untouchable players," the Portuguese manager told reporters when asked whether the Brazilian winger’s place was at risk after the rise of Ivorian winger Yan Diomande.
**What did Mourinho say about untouchable players?**
Mourinho explained, "What makes a player untouchable is not his status, the armband, his years at the club, how much was paid for him, what makes him untouchable is his performance on the pitch." He confirmed Vinícius will line up on the left wing against Leipzig but did not reveal whether Diomande will start.
Diomande, who arrived for a club‑record €140 million (£157 million) fee, has already found the net, scoring against Sevilla in La Liga while Vinícius sits out. His impact has sparked speculation about his role in the upcoming European clash.
**How is Real Madrid faring in domestic and continental competitions?**
Madrid host the German side aiming for a third Champions League win from three group matches, yet sit third in La Liga, six points behind leaders Barcelona, whom they will visit on Sunday. Mourinho admitted the squad is still far from his expectations, stating, "A long way off… we’ve been here three or four months, it’s impossible to be where we want to be."
French defender Ibrahima Konaté praised Mourinho’s authority, saying, "He’s a great manager, I think he has this aura that not many managers have, because he doesn’t need to speak and everyone will listen and respect him."
Mourinho concluded that continuous improvement, both individually and collectively, is essential, acknowledging the high demands of the club and his own familiarity with its culture from his previous spell (2010‑2013). The upcoming match against Leipzig will test whether the team can translate individual brilliance into collective success.