Now We Will See The Real Vinicius Junior

VALENCIA, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 23: Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Levante UD and Real Madrid CF at Ciutat de Valencia on September 23, 2025 in Valencia, Spain. (Omar Arnau/Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

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This time last year, Vinicius Junior was sulking about missing out on the coveted Ballon d’Or award.

There must have been an element of shame in his grumpiness because he’d be swaggering about believing he was a shoe-in for the crown in the months before it was awarded.

In fact, before the prizes were handed out, it emerged that several venues had been booked for parties and American sportswear giant Nike had created a special ‘celebration’ boot for Vinicius Junior.

His club’s reaction wasn’t much better; Madrid boycotted the ceremony in solidarity with Vinicius Junior and Danny Carvajal, who missed the top prize.

“If the award criteria don’t give it to Vinicius as the winner, then those same criteria should point to Carvajal as the winner. As this was not the case, it is clear that Ballon d’Or-UEFA does not respect Real Madrid. And Real Madrid does not go where it is not respected,” the club said in a statement to AFP.

The Real Madrid supporting media ramped up the vitriol in the Spanish capital.

“Many of those who vote are anti-Madridista and really dislike Vinícius,” said Tomás Roncero of AS.

“That’s why he’s not the Ballon d’Or. He deserved it more than anyone, and Real Madrid were right to be angry about how this was handled.”

Host of the TV show El Chiringuito, Josep Pedrerol, agreed, adding: “Vinícius deserves the Ballon d’Or indisputably—because of his football and everything he has gone through. It’s a message that goes beyond football.”

At the time, I pointed out that Vinicius Junior’s stats were far from world-beating.

Even in a team that won the Champions League and La Liga, his record of 24 goals and 11 assists was beneath Mohamed Salah’s, whose 25 goals and 14 assists were considered to have been a dud.

Internationally, Vinicius Junior played for a Brazilian team that performed poorly at the Copa America and was eliminated in the quarter-final stage.

In my view, he has always been massively overrated. He is a player who delivers eye-catching moments but not the relentless brilliance that sets the greatest players apart.

But the annoying thing is, he behaves like he is on that level.

For the period that Real Madrid was lacking in some of the Galacticos who have worn the jersey in the past, the impetulance and ego could be overlooked; it wasn’t rubbing people up the wrong way.

However, when Kylian Mbappe arrives, bringing with him both the arrogance of an elite player and the ability to deliver the goods, Vinicius’s temperament becomes a problem.

Under Carlo Ancelotti, the pair struggled to fit into the same side, but the Brazilian often looked better.

However, since bringing in Xabi Alonso this summer, Mbappe has regained his imperious abilities and Vinicius is struggling.

He’s not only been delivering inconsistent performances, but he’s also been struggling to get into the team itself, often being benched and frequently substituted.

As the latest edition of the Ballon d’Or rolled around, Vinicius was sulking again. Still, this time, his tantrum was not about failing to claim the crown but being substituted in a game against Espanyol.

Even by his standards, it was a strong reaction. He threw up his arms, shouted, and kicked a water bottle across the turf.

Speaking to El Larguero on Cadena SER about Vinícius’s attitude, former Madrid forward Pedja Mijatović said: “There are things that do not change. It’s not worth it. To me, this behaviour does not go with the Real Madrid shirt.

“He has to motivate himself, getting provoked with all of humanity. He is an excellent player, but one has to assess whether it’s worth having him here.”

He added, “With Ancelotti, Vinícius had his spot at Real Madrid very secure. Surely he also will in Brazil, but as far as Real Madrid goes, well, we already see that for Xabi it matters less what Vinícius has done until now.”

His manager, Xabi Alonso, was more forgiving.

“I was a player myself, and when I was substituted, I didn’t like it either. I don’t think it’s a big deal that the players show their frustration,” he said in the postgame.

“I’m happy with what Vinicius is doing. It is still early in the season. We need everyone, I’m happy and we can do better in the last third.”

“The only thing Vinicius was missing was a goal. It’s true that he came off the pitch when he was feeling best and I could have waited a bit to replace him, but I understood that we needed fresh players to maintain control. Vinicius wanted to stay on because he was feeling good.”

“He wasn’t very happy, but neither was Franco. It happens to everyone, but I’m very happy with Vinicius’s performance. The schedule is demanding and we have to keep going.”

Vinicius Junior was fortunate in many ways in that he played for Real Madrid during his era.

Only in the past few years has the club re-adopted the policy of buying the biggest stars rather than those who are more up and coming.

Before then, he was able to grow into stardom.

His often average output was masked by a relentlessly effective team defending well and winning from golden moments.

These benefited a player who has often popped up with a goal on the big occasion. But the truth is, he should never be in the conversation as one of the world’s best for a lack of consistency.

Now that he is being truly challenged by a manager who sees all that we’ll see what the man is actually made of.