John Obi Mikel has urged his former manager José Mourinho to publicly address controversial comments involving Vinícius Júnior, stating that the veteran coach “got it wrong” and should apologise.

Mikel, who enjoyed some of the most successful years of his career under Mourinho at Chelsea FC, said he was surprised by remarks suggesting the Real Madrid winger should have acted differently amid a racism investigation.

According to the former Super Eagles captain, he expected a firm and unequivocal condemnation of racism rather than comments that appeared to question Vinícius’ celebrations. Mikel described the remarks as clumsy and out of character for a coach he knows personally.

“He will be the first to admit he messed up,” Mikel stated, while strongly defending Mourinho’s character. He insisted that during his time working with the Portuguese tactician, he never witnessed or experienced racist behaviour.

However, Mikel stressed that this is precisely why a clarification is necessary. In sensitive situations involving discrimination, he argued, influential figures in football must lead with clarity and responsibility.

He concluded by encouraging Mourinho to issue a statement and apologise — not as an attack, but as an opportunity to reaffirm his stance against racism in a sport that continues to confront the issue globally.