Real Madrid: Casemiro gave Vinicius Junior game-winning advice during El Clasico

Real Madrid wouldn’t have won El Clasico without Vinicius Junior‘s opening goal, but Toni Kroos may not be the only person to credit for the assist.

For the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, Vinicius Junior will be Real Madrid’s X-Factor in the attack. With Eden Hazard out for the season due to another serious injury, Vinicius is the starting left winger, no questions asked. And on Sunday during El Clasico, Vini put himself in the history books with a crucial opening goal in Los Merengues’ 2-0 win.

Prior to his goal in the 71st minute of El Clasico, Vinicius had received vocal criticism from Real Madrid fans, who are notoriously hungry for results. Vinicius had been one of the team’s standout players in the first half, starting counterattacks and looking to create for others. However, he found it difficult to make that killer pass or find that end product against a stingy Barcelona defense, led by veteran center back Gerard Pique.

But once Vinicius stopped focusing on feeding Karim Benzema and focused on being ruthless in front of goal, the breakthrough game.

Who encouraged Vinicius to believe in himself and go for goal? Defensive midfielder Casemiro, who has been quite the leader for Real Madrid this season.

Here’s what Casemiro told Real Madrid TV about his advice for Vinicius at halftime, via MARCA:

"“I told Vinicius at half-time that he should go for goal more. Many times he looks for Karim & if Karim is in a better position of course he should pass but in a 50-50 he should shoot. After the goal he told me he had Casemiro in his head saying: ‘Shoot, shoot’.”"

What a heart-warming story!

Real Madrid fans can be impatient with young players if they make mistakes, and we’ve heard so many overblown concerns about the 19-year-old’s “end product” or even his “decision-making”. But on Sunday, Vini put those concerns to rest and reminded fans that while he is young and still learning, he’s already one of Real’s most important players.

Los Blancos are now in control of La Liga thanks to Vini, who scored the breakthrough goal, completed four dribbles, and provided a pair of tackles (stats via WhoScored.com) to highlight his all-around impact on club football’s biggest stage.

Toni Kroos assisted Vinicius by encouraging the young winger to make a smart, looping run off the ball, so the German midfielder gets the assist in the stat sheet. But give Casemiro an assist, too, for giving Vinicius the best possible advice. As a leader, Case empowered Vinicius to believe in himself and abilities, and the young player did the rest by scoring a decisive goal.

Here’s to hoping Vinicius keeps on shooting, because the goals will continue to come for the winger, who will always remain willing to create for Benzema and others.