Real Madrid is house to several talented youngsters, each of whom exhibits potential to be the next big thing in their respective positions. My colleague Ranoveer Neogi previously listed the top five young players with the highest potential ceiling in Real Madrid. These undoubtedly are the results of approaching the transfer market for younger players and Madrid has made few very smart buys. Eduardo Camavinga could be named here as the latest to join the list.
This article, however, focuses on one such young prodigy who has started to take his steps towards cementing a more regular role in the squad and he is none other than Vinicius Junior. The young Brazilian spent a lot of time on the wings last season and his play remained consistent for the most part other than his finishing. This season, under Carlo Ancelotti, there has been a visible shift and my shout is that Vinicius Junior can indeed be the next Superstar for LaLiga and restore some sheens to the once most-coveted football league in the World. Here are three reasons why.
1. Vinicius Junior’s attributes and abilities make him superstar-material
Let’s start with a straightforward reason and appreciate Vinicius for all that he does with so much ease. Yes, Vini has the required skillset to become a superstar player in any league. He is pacey and that pace is coupled with some of the most breathtaking dribbling skills you’d ever see in LaLiga. His expertise lies in beating defenders and taking on opponents, he is a great asset to have in 1v1 situations.
Next up, the one thing that was holding him back, his finishing, also seems to have undergone a massive improvement. Taking a very recent example, Vini set the pitch on fire with his brace of equalizing goals against Levante in a 3-3 draw. A match where Vinicius’ goals allowed Real to rescue a point. His goals in that match were more than enough to suggest that Vini is already taking the necessary steps to improve where he lacks. Of course, he scored another great goal against Celta Vigo recently, which just proves my claim even more.
Vini already has few key appearances under his belt. His brace against Liverpool in the quarterfinals of the Champions League last season was also a marquee one that landed him up among the headlines. There, however, are a few places with a scope of improvement.
Firstly, Vini could use some more clarity on making decisions when on the ball. Yes, he is young and that rush of blood to the head can influence decisions, but to be a good footballer, he needs to get past it. He is also sometimes a little too impatient with his movement. A clearer head and informed decision-making can see Vini go places. His skill set is absolutely perfect to make him the league’s next big superstar.
2. He can learn from the very best in the league
The second reason why Vinicius has a better chance at being the next Superstar than many other youngsters in the league is that he is literally playing with the best player in the league currently in Karim Benzema. And, it is clearly visible that the big Frenchman is having an impact on the Brazilian. They love playing together, they put up some of the best linkups you’d ever see and there’s undoubtedly been a master and apprentice relationship for a couple of seasons now.
Benzema aside, he also has senior players like Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale at his disposal. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t the same players they were a few seasons ago, nothing takes their experience away. Vini can still profit largely with his interactions with these living greats of football. There’s so much to learn and Vinicius is so lucky, to say the least, to be interacting with players of such caliber in his formative years.
Another big reason why these associations are profiting Vini is that he has put in his share of the hard work to earn first-team minutes. Last season, when Real Madrid was wracked with injuries and Eden Hazard couldn’t play to his fullest, it was Vini who became a regular on the flanks and benefited from playing with the likes of Benzema and linked up with greats in midfield like Toni Kroos. Who doesn’t remember the 3-1 Liverpool bashing, after all?
3. Real Madrid is the best possible launching pad for new superstars
The final reason why Vinicius Junior’s chances are sky-high is that he plays for Real Madrid. And, Real Madrid is the one football club that will land you up among headlines every other Matchday provided you perform. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. We have already seen how harsh the Spanish Media was on Vinicius last season, all because of his finishing.
Long story short, to succeed in Real Madrid is equivalent to becoming a footballing superstar. Firstly, you evade all the pressure within and outside the squad, and secondly, you make your way through hoards of talent to become a regular starter for the Footballing Royalty. And, Vini is surely on the way. He replaced Eden Hazard on the starting XI on Matchday 3 and, to replace an in-form Hazard is a huge pat on the back in itself.
Vini is doing things right now and if he continues doing so he can, by the end of the season, become a driving force in the league with viewers around the world tuning in just to see some of his beautiful dribbling, some unreal pace on the ball and (hopefully) some world-class finishing. That being said, the competition isn’t easy at all, he will have competitors like Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland running their own separate shows who have already gained a lot of currency.
To say the least, all Vini needs to do now is keep a cool head and ignore pressure of other competitors and continue putting in the good work for the club. He has the required skillset, some great mentors, and the world’s best launching pad for any youngster, all at his disposal. He only needs to make the best use of it all.