Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior has found his identity with the team
Real Madrid left winger Vinicius Junior had a quiet start to the 2019-2020 season, but by the time March hit, he was one of Los Blancos’ key players.
Before the 2019-2020 La Liga and Champions League campaigns even started, Real Madrid left winger Vinicius Junior was hailed as a future Ballon d’Or winner, receiving both high praise and high expectations even for the upcoming season.
As a way of managing those expectations, Zinedine Zidane and Real Madrid were careful with how much they put on the 19-year-old’s plate. They didn’t force him into the lineup every game, and his lack of minutes led to some speculating that a team in the Premier League – or PSG – would try to make a transfer swoop.
But Vinicius was never and has never been for sale; it stands to reason that Real will never put him up for sale either. In the time since he joined Los Blancos from Flamengo for under 50 million euros, Vinicius has shown the quality to be worth more than triple that amount and become a crucial player at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After playing a low-key role in the squad in the first half of the season, Vinicius emerged as a star in the second half of the season, even moreso than at the end of 2018-2019. Vini was playing his best football in Madrid thus far, taking on defenders and being the difference-maker in several games, including rivalry wins over Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Against Atleti in February, Vinicius was a game-changing half-time sub who created the first goal for Ferland Mendy to assist Karim Benzema. And he was as crucial against Barcelona, providing tireless attacking intent to lead counters, keeping his confidence in front of the home crowd by scoring Real’s first goal of the night past Marc Andre ter Stegen in the 2-0 win.
Vinicius Junior, most importantly, has found his identity in the squad. He is the hard-working winger who provides excellent defensive cover and carries the ball up the flank to start attacks. The Brazilian is a creator, starting scoring opportunities as play runs through him in the final third, using his dribbling skills and vision to pick apart defenses so that others can benefit from the chances that develop.
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Eventually, Vinicius’ engine on the flank and ability on the ball will make him the heart and soul of Real Madrid. He is a patient, fast-learning, and passionate player, who gives his everything for the club. And even though he’ll be in a bench role behind Eden Hazard in 2020-2021, he’ll be a difference-maker as a substitute due to his ability to turn games on their head in an instant. His place as an important player in the squad is secure.