Stacy Boit,

Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid was always going to get people talking. Among the many questions surrounding his reappointment, one stands out: How will he manage his relationship with Vinicius Junior?

It will be one of the most closely watched aspects of Mourinho’s second spell in charge at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho has signed a three-year deal to return to Real, but the 63-year-old’s contract will only be valid if current president Florentino Perez wins the presidential election on 7 June.

The Portuguese coach was at Benfica when they faced Real in the Champions League in February.

After the first leg of the knockout phase play-off, Mourinho faced criticism for comments he made about Vinicius Jr’s behaviour. The Brazil forward had alleged that Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni had racially abused him. Prestianni strongly denied the accusation.

Mourinho will now coach not only one of the best talents in football, but also one of the most scrutinised players in the world.

He is a manager whose success has often been built on trust, loyalty and a connection with his players. But his relationship with Vinicius could become a defining narrative of his second spell in charge.

During February’s Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica, Vinicius had put Real Madrid 1-0 up in the second half, before being booked for an excessive celebration where he danced around the corner flag.

Moments later, following an interaction with Prestianni, the Brazilian ran over to the referee while gesturing towards the Benfica winger.

The referee made the crossed arms gesture to signal a racist abuse report, activating Uefa’s anti-racism protocol, and stopped play for almost 10 minutes as tensions escalated inside the stadium. Vinicius and some of his team-mates left the field.

A Real Madrid statement said Vinicius told the referee he had been racially abused by the Argentina winger – which Prestianni denied.

It led to Uefa suspending the Benfica player for the second leg while an investigation took place.

Prestianni was eventually handed a six-match ban, although not for racist abuse, as Uefa said there was insufficient evidence to prove the alleged remark.

Instead, the punishment related to a homophobic insult, which Prestianni admitted directing towards Vinicius.