The Brazilian did not find his rhythm for Real Madrid in 2025, with a number of huge matches in Laliga and the Champions League.
A little Vinicius is going a long way. That is the truth. It happened against Salzburg. After a boring version, he scored a brace and almost a hat trick. It was not blinding (“I didn't feel well”, he admitted), but it had bite. And against Espanyol he threatened with a second goal. Even if he is not at his best, he has had a decisive impact. It was close to a repetition of the performance of Muñiz Ruiz during the battle between Mbappé and Pol Lozano. Vinicius scored a great goal, but the referee called a controversial mistake. He added a few more highlights-for example, a museum-worthy dribble.
That self -pass with the heel, which was sent directly at its peak, was the only breakthrough he knew from the six attempts. He ran on the course of Cornellà – just as he did in 2025. In the midst of suspensions, huge offers (from Arabia) and mixed sensations, Vinicius is not entirely itself.
He arrived at the match against Espanyol with almost as much absence (three) as appearances (four, now five). In La Liga, the Red Card of Mestalla cost the “7 Blanco” matches against Las Palmas and Valladolid. In the Champions League, his third yellow card against Salzburg put him aside for the Brest match – a chain reaction that continued in Cornellà.
Ancelotti attracted his best suit, but only Rodrygo managed to show his true self. And among the four, Vinicius was the least impressive.
And it was not just that he struggled with dribbling. In a deviation from his usual competition, loaded into a team with left -sided attackers, the most action came from the right. Rodrygo led in Kruisen (Acht), completed dribbles (three), created opportunities (three – alongside Lucas Vázquez and Mbappé) and completed in the last third part. These were areas where Vinicius did not succeed in cracking the honorary role.
This sentiment is reflected in his reviews: Bellingham (85) and Rodrygo (84) almost corresponded to their typical output, followed by Mbappé's 65 – and finally, Vinicius's 59. He fiery but roared as fast as his goal.
Depressed
A sober vinicius. This year (and not only this season: he has 17 goals and 11 assists in general) and against Espanyol, his statistics in completed dribbles (1 versus 2.8), crosses (2 versus 2.4), opportunities created (1 versus 2.2),, Tackles won (2 versus 2.4) and successful passes in the last third (16 versus 21.1) were among his averages. He looked for opportunities, especially as a goal for the goal, while he led with five shots. But none of them found the back of the net. There was the intention, but no implementation. He remains a threat, but at the moment he is not the best – a context that he is well aware of, both externally and internally.
Watch out, Vini clicks again
That is why Ancelotti came to defend his star: “Some have forgotten that we won two champions with Vinicius.” And that is why Vinicius himself offered a MEA -Culpa after his two goals to Salzburg and said, “I am happy for the goals, even though I play badly.” Of the quartet he is the least effective in 2025: Rodrygo has been involved in nine goals since 1 January (seven scored and two assists), Mbappé in Acht (all scored), Bellingham in Zeven (three goals and four assists) and then there are there Vinicius's four (three and one) – together with contributions from Valverde, Güler and Modrić.
But the club is convinced that it will not be long before he clicks again – that is, before he returns to Vinicius.
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