Vinicius Jr.‘s performance against Barcelona was a reflection of how he has been all season. Poor in attack and, above all, poor in his commitment to the team and in his defensive support. The match against Barcelona was undoubtedly one of his worst performances in a Real Madrid shirt, the final blot on his copybook this season, a blot that once again makes him the target of criticism.
A season to forget
Vinicius has had a very poor season at Real Madrid, far from the level he showed last season that allowed him to fight for the Ballon d’Or, far from being the shadow of the player he has been until this year.
The start of the campaign was already below expectations, but much better than his current level. The fight for the Ballon d’Or meant he was very involved in the team’s dynamic. He wasn’t at the same level as last season, but he looked normal after the summer break. However, since he finished second in the gala for the award for the best player in the world, everything has fallen apart.
The football world’s response to his second place generated a wave of criticism of the award, and this inflated the player’s ego. The next episode after the Ballon d’Or was an injury that kept him off the pitch for a month, and he has not been able to recover since.
Then came the offer from Saudi Arabia, which offered the player $1 billion for five seasons. Although the player seems unwilling to curb his ambition to remain among the elite of soccer for such a large sum of money, he has used the offer to demand a contract extension at Real Madrid and turn the team’s dressing room upside down.
Behavior and statements
Vinicius has been involved in too many clashes with rivals and fans, which has led many to take a stand against him. In addition, in Brazil, he asked that Spain not be awarded the 2030 World Cup due to racism, with the final likely to be held at the Santiago Bernabéu. These episodes sparked anger, even among his own fans, who began to boo him at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Match against Barcelona
The Barcelona match is a reflection of what Vinicius has been like since March. He is a player who tries to attack, but things don’t work out for him, and he shows no commitment to working with his teammates. It didn’t seem like the Brazilian footballer cared about what was at stake for the team. He didn’t help, he didn’t run back, he allowed Barcelona to get the ball easily—something he already does when under pressure, so imagine when you take that away—and he just waited to catch a ball on the counterattack. He provided two assists, which is no small feat, but they didn’t take much effort. However, he stood out, especially for his attitude.
Vinicius’ mentality has to change a lot for next season. The new coach who arrives will have to work hard to change him. A team like Real Madrid, which must fight for every title, cannot afford to have one of its players not working hard. Modern soccer demands it, today’s soccer makes it necessary, and a team like Real Madrid needs the commitment of all its players. The Santiago Bernabéu has seen great players throughout its history, and the loudest ovations are reserved for those players who work hard and give their all on the field.