Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior will remain the X-Factor in 2019-2020
Eden Hazard has returned to the squad for Real Madrid after missing nearly three months with an ankle injury, but his backup at the left wing position, Vinicius Junior, will continue to play an important role for Zinedine Zidane.
Although Real Madrid struggled in the 2018-2019 season, they unearthed one of the world’s best young players in Vinicius Junior. Prior to sustaining an injury, Vinicius was one of the most electrifying players in Europe, standing out alongside Karim Benzema to give Los Blancos hope for their season.
The 2018-2019 campaign ended in anonymity for the normally trophy-laden stars in Madrid, but Vinicius’ talent gave the club hope. In 2019-2020, Real Madrid look set to achieve far more under Zinedine Zidane, who has already guided the club to a Spanish Supercopa triumph in Saudi Arabia. Los Blancos are also first in La Liga and like their chances in the Champions League.
Even though Vinicius Junior has only played 681 minutes this season with fewer starts in La Liga than Gareth Bale, Isco, and Rodrygo, he has clearly shown his talent. And that talent has been especially obvious in recent weeks.
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Vinicius has stepped up as a super-sub for Real Madrid in Eden Hazard’s absence. And while Hazard’s return from injury could mean fewer minutes for the Brazilian star, it doesn’t decrease his importance to the squad.
With the Champions League set to resume for Los Blancos on Feb. 26 against Pep Guardiola‘s Manchester City, Vinicius’ importance is at an all-time high. Vini’s confidence off the bench, ability to impact games, work rate, and rapidly improving passing will make him Real’s X-Factor for the rest of the season.
He is the type of player who can make the difference in a close league or Champions League game, especially in the latter tournament where decisive second legs can test teams for 120 minutes.
Despite his youth, Vinicius has stood tall in the face of immense pressure. Real Madrid fans are notoriously demanding, but it’s not because they are any meaner than any other team’s faithful followers. They are demanding simply because they have come to expect excellence.
And Vinicius has brought that excellence. He is fearless, driving at defenders even when he knows they intend to break his soul. Instead, he steals theirs. Just watch what he did in his game-changing second half performance against Atletico Madrid this month, tearing apart the right side of Diego Simeone‘s defense, setting up the decisive goal that Karim Benzema eventually tucked away.
There are so many ways Zinedine Zidane can make use of Vinicius as a substitute; it’s not out of the question for him and Eden Hazard to even link up together. And if, God forbid, anything were to happen to Hazard again, Real’s season wouldn’t be over. Because they have a capable playmaker in Vinicius, whose ability to roam the flanks and create attacks is simply stunning. Only Jadon Sancho and Kylian Mbappe show the same level of maturity and initiative as Vini among teenage forwards in the world.
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So don’t forget about Vinicius in the buzz of Hazard’s return. He may not be a regular starter, but that’s precisely why he’s such a dangerous player for opponents. Vini will continue to be key to Real’s success in 2019-2020. Mark my words.