Former Real Madrid star Reinier Jesus has opened up about his friendship with Vinicius Jr. He also opened up about potentially returning to the club one day.

Reinier joined Real Madrid from Brazilian club Flamengo in January 2020. However, he spent most of his time away on loan at Borussia Dortmund, Girona, Frosinone, and Granada. He made three appearances for Los Blancos’ Castilla side, recording two goals and one assist.

However, the 24-year-old never made a senior appearance for the club and was sold to Atletico Mineiro in the summer of 2025. In a recent interview with Diario AS (via Madrid Xtra), he was asked about potentially returning to the Spanish giants, and he said:

“Why not? Who wouldn’t want to? But now is not the time. I’m 100% focused on Atlético Mineiro.”

When asked about his compatriot Vinicius Jr., Reinier said:

“Vinícius is my close friend, someone I love very much. He is one of the best players in the world.”

Reinier has scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 41 games for Atletico Mineiro this season, playing as an attacking midfielder or a second striker. He and Vinicius Jr. didn’t share the pitch for Real Madrid’s senior team.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho slammed the Spanish FA’s timing of announcing Vinicius Jr.’s suspension

Vinicius Jr. was sent off in Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Bernabeu in LaLiga on Saturday, October 10. He came off the bench and thought he scored. However, the goal was chalked off, and he was sent off for a deemed hair pull in the build-up.

On Wednesday, October 14, it was announced that he would be suspended for four games. The verdict came just an hour before Los Blancos’ UEFA Champions League clash against AS Roma, which Vinicius Jr. started. Manager Jose Mourinho slammed the Spanish Football Federation for announcing the winger’s ban just before the game, saying (h/t GOAL):

“Couldn’t they do it tomorrow morning? Do we have to come by bus and almost arrive at the stadium when we find out Vinicius has a four-match suspension? They do things shamelessly now. The cat is out of the bag now. Two hours before the match, a player must know he has a four-match suspension.”

“A Spanish team that has earned three points for Spanish football, for the rankings, for the prestige of Spanish football. You want to kill a player two hours before the match? It doesn’t seem normal to me,” he added.

Real Madrid came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 against Roma. Vinicius, meanwhile, will miss their games against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.