Vinicius, who has only scored one goal in five games, returns to the Bernabeu after the whistle against Celta.
It's like a pair of communicating vessels: Ancelotti still hasn't managed to synchronize the peak form of Vinicius and Mbappé. It's like they're on a see-saw: when one gets up, the other falls.
Currently, it appears that Vinicius has lost his stride due to a recent suspension. Moreover, he faced boos after his performance in El Clasico, when the team played Celta in the Copa del Rey.
Vinicius will return to the Bernabeu this Wednesday, this time in the Champions League against Salzburg (January 22, 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT), and is eager to make a statement. With fourteen goals and ten assists this season, his performances have not been bad at all.
If he maintains this pace for the 72 games Real Madrid could potentially play this season (if they reach the finals in all competitions), he would end the season with 31 goals, his highest tally for Real Madrid yet. Last season he scored 24 goals, the season before that (2022-2023) he scored 23, and the season before that (2021-2022) he scored 22.
Vini Jr's current contract with Real Madrid expires in 2027
The games he has not played also highlight his importance to the team. He has missed six games this season due to injury, rest or suspension. Real Madrid won four of those games, against Getafe, Sevilla, Girona and Las Palmas, but lost two crucial games: at Anfield against Liverpool and in San Mamés against Athletic Bilbao.
The buzz around Vinicius, recently named The Best by FIFA and controversially second in the Ballon d'Or behind Rodri, increased after Ancelotti substituted him in the match against Barça (a painful 5-2 defeat) with half an hour remaining to play. hope for a comeback.
That substitution put the Brazilian in the spotlight, and the truth is that the Intercontinental Cup final, where he scored against Pachuca (and was named The Best), was a turning point for him. Since then, he has scored just one goal in five games (and was sent off against Valencia). In contrast, before that final he had scored 13 goals in 9 games. Vinicius returns against Salzburg and is keen to prove he is still the same player.
There is a background to Vinicius' situation. He should have a strong season as contract extension talks begin next summer, with his current contract expiring in 2027. He is currently the team's highest-paid player, together with Mbappé.
In 2022, he signed a contract worth $75 million net over five seasons. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continues to knock on his door.
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