Although Real Madrid haven’t been using Vinicius Junior much lately, it’s important for fans to remember how important the 19-year-old is to Los Blancos’ future.
Real Madrid have an embarrassment of riches in the attack. In the attacking midfield, they have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Isco putting in world-class performances on a weekly basis. And Isco has recently become a key asset on the wings, joining forces with the likes of Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, and Gareth Bale to cause all sorts of headaches for the opposition attack.
So it can be difficult for a player as talented as Vinicius Junior to break into the lineup when there’s so much excellent talent in the squad, especially players as accomplished as Isco, Bale, and Hazard who have all won top individual awards and team silverware.
Vinicius will be among the elite one day, too. Last season, the Brazilian teenager was one of Real’s lone bright spots, shining in Champions League action as a standout on the wings.
It’s been harder for him to dazzle this season, but he’s certainly had his most. Take his wonderful longshot goal against Osasuna, for example, or his performance in the 1-0 loss to RCD Mallorca. According to WhoScored.com, Vinicius won five dribbles in that game and was often the only player trying to make something happen on that doomed evening at the Iberostar Stadium.
Even when he’s come off the bench in recent games against Eibar and Real Betis, the youngster has injected something extra into Real’s attack. He works so hard to drop off into defense and carry the ball into the opposition area, and he’s a pass-first player who attempts to create – first and foremost.
The weaknesses to Vinicius’ game are all correctable with the experience that time brings. Sometimes he’ll try to do too much on the ball, and sometimes he’ll have concentration lapses with his technique.
But the man’s positives are far more important. He never stops working, his movement off the ball is sublime, and he is one of the better defensive wingers in La Liga. These are all traits most young players don’t have, especially young players known for their attacking spark.
Vinicius isn’t a regular in Real Madrid’s lineup right now, but that’s down to the quality of players like Hazard, Bale, Isco, and hat-trick hero Rodrygo. Real have no reason to rush Vinicius or hurt his development, and there’s also no reason to believe Zinedine Zidane or Florentino Perez have soured on a player who truly does have world-class potential.