Over the last few seasons, Vinicius has become one of the standard-bearers for Real Madrid. He arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu as a promising Brazilian footballer and had a turbulent start to his career at Real Madrid, but today he is firmly established as one of the best players in the world.
Vinicius’ poor attitude wore down Real Madrid fans
Over the years, this situation has aroused the interest of many of Europe’s biggest clubs, who are keen to snatch the star player away from Real Madrid. Added to this was the flood of millions that Saudi Arabia offered Real Madrid to take their star player to Arab football. Both Vinicius and Real Madrid rejected the offer.
The problem, however, is that these rumors were also fueled by the player’s untimely behavior in his hundreds of altercations throughout this season, but also in recent months. This, of course, led many Real Madrid fans to describe as “unsustainable” the fact that the team is at the center of controversy due to exaggerations and unnecessary attention-seeking. Although it is fair to say that the signs of discontent from the public are not directed solely at him.
This past Sunday, the first to be singled out was Kylian Mbappé in the match against Athletic. Although the French striker was unable to play the match due to the red card he received in the last LaLiga match against Alavés and a minor ankle injury, he was booed when he appeared on the video scoreboard at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Real Madrid fans are demanding more from their star player.
The Bernabéu demanded more from him
And also, of course, for Vinicius. And not only because of his actions and controversies, but also for ‘disappearing’ from important matches such as last week’s Champions League game against Arsenal. The feelings are causing doubts and the numbers don’t lie: the Brazilian’s 2025 is light years away from his last year and, if he is unable to turn it around in the last few weeks of the season, Madrid fans could pay dearly.
His status, however, has transcended borders. He put himself in the global spotlight when he promised to give ten times more if necessary to be recognized as the long-awaited winner of the Ballon d’Or. Far from that, neither his play has taken a step forward nor has his attitude, which weighed him down so much in the last vote, been convincing in recent months.
The latest episode off the pitch was his attitude after eliminating Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16, when the Merengue celebration crossed a line that even led UEFA to open an investigation. And that, for Madrid fans, is tiresome. Especially when they see that their team is not only failing to win, but also giving a rather poor image on the pitch.
That is why the number 7 has had to read and hear many people questioning the wisdom of selling the Brazilian in the next summer transfer window. Perhaps that is why the Madrid striker came out firing on Sunday and was the best player on the pitch against Athletic.
Likewise, tired of the criticism he and the team have received, the Brazilian forward decided to rebel in front of his own fans. It was an unusual image that once again showed the tension that exists at the Santiago Bernabéu. What we saw was a Vinicius who was the only one who stood up and played to his usual standard. He tried everything, got back into the game as he usually does, and pulled the team forward from the left wing. He scored the 1-0 and the winning goal against a very lucky Athletic.
That was what Real Madrid wanted from him. To focus on being himself and playing as he usually does, forgetting about everything off the pitch, the bad faces and the gestures that are out of place. With all that, and although “these have not been happy days” for Vinicius, as Ancelotti commented, the striker got back on track with the fans. In the midst of the celebrations, the cameras caught the Brazilian looking absent, downcast, walking slowly towards the huddle. Nor did he make any gestures towards the stands during the match asking for support. He was serious. Perhaps that’s better than not being there, some will say. But the important thing is that Vinicius is carving out his comeback at the Bernabéu.