Jose Mourinho has revealed he personally urged Vinicius Jr not to leave Real Madrid, playing a key role in persuading the Brazilian winger to commit his future to the club on a new six-year deal.

Vinicius Jr, 26, had entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Bernabeu, opening the door to a free transfer next summer. Premier League champions Arsenal were among the clubs tracking the situation closely as negotiations dragged on, but the forward ultimately signed an extension earlier this month.

Speaking on Spanish television programme El Chiringuito, Mourinho described the conversation that helped seal the deal.

"Vini, where do you want to go? You've only been in Brazil and you only know Real Madrid. You only understand Real Madrid when you leave. When you leave that's when you realise what Real Madrid is. Don't leave. It's not worth it," Mourinho said.

Mourinho, 63, whose return to Real for a second spell in charge was confirmed in June, also credited the squad's collective development as a factor in Vinicius Jr's decision to stay.

The Prestianni incident

Mourinho's relationship with Vinicius Jr was tested last season when the Portuguese was manager of Benfica and the two clubs met three times in the UEFA Champions League. During their knockout phase play-off first leg, Real players alleged that Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni racially abused Vinicius Jr, bringing the match to a halt for around eight minutes.

Prestianni denied the allegations and Mourinho publicly backed his player at the time. UEFA subsequently banned Prestianni for three matches, with a further three suspended, for homophobic conduct.

Addressing the episode now that he and Vinicius Jr are on the same side, Mourinho was unequivocal.

"Prestianni was my player. That's it. There's no debate. If Prestianni is my player, 20 players can come at me and I'm still with Prestianni. End of story. I think Vini now knows what side I am on and knows he can look me in the eye and rely on me to be on his side," he said.

Rodri's 'doubts' over Real Madrid move

Mourinho also shed light on Real's failed pursuit of Spain captain Rodri, who left Manchester City — in the final year of his contract — to join La Liga champions Barcelona in a deal worth £65 million.

The manager acknowledged that Rodri's hesitation proved decisive in shaping his own thinking on the transfer.

"We talked a couple of times and Real Madrid made him a good offer. Rodri had doubts and his doubts made me doubtful. He is a remarkable player and he behaved correctly at all times with us but the scale of Real Madrid is that you can't have players here who think twice about coming," Mourinho said.

He added, with characteristic wit: "I wish him well. Not too well, obviously. But I wish him well."

A more mature Mourinho — but not a boring one

During his first stint at Real between 2010 and 2013, Mourinho won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup. Now, having also managed Manchester United, Tottenham, and Inter Milan in the intervening years, he insists he has evolved — without losing his edge.

"I'm much more mature, less emotional and more controlled. As always, I learn from mistakes. But I don't regret this or that, because I don't think regretting something that has happened helps anything in life. Learning from experiences does," he said.

Mourinho was emphatic that personal growth has not made him dull: "That's not to say I'm more boring. I have the same DNA."