The Brazillian star, Vinicius Junior, came to Real Madrid in 2018 for a whopping €45 million transfer fee2018 for a whopping €45 million transfer fee. His arrival stirred a new beginning for the club as the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, and manager Zinedine Zidane created a vacuum at Santiago Bernabeu that needed to be filled as soon as possible.
It began on a tense note but fast forward to the present moment where the Brazillian phenomenon is a key player who has reached heights by working hard at the club. The signing from 2018 has brought many laurels, victories, and challenging times for Vini, who used it to showcase his talent and humility through consistent hard work.
The top five moments summarised are a true testament to what the winger has brought to the club. In his initial season, Vinicius picked up an injury, and in the subsequent season, the players’ prolific decisions were questioned.
However, the blossoming of his abilities has enabled the team to count on him, and below, we will see how, when and why it transitioned.
1. Goal in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final
The goal against Liverpool to lift the 14th Champions League trophy is one of the most precious moments in club history, making his current career with the Spanish giants iconic already. Not only did the winger give outstanding performances in each game Carlo Ancelotti played him during the competition but his chemistry with the team for each minute against Liverpool FC was a testament to how good he is with and without the ball.
This is a highlight reel moment that overruled Vinicius’ difficulties in the previous years. The player’s goal in the final positioned him as one of the stars of the game.
2. First hat trick for Real Madrid
The first hat trick against Levante UD was a quick successive performance that gave the squad more confidence for the 2021/2022 season, where the club won the Spanish domestic competition with dominance. As for Vini, this game was a turning point to add to his reliability. The player showed maturity with his positioning to help the team counter-attack, came back for help and eventually score goals to seal three points.
The hat trick by the Brazillian star helped Real Madrid win 6-0. It also helped establish how the squad improved over the season as the fans saw Vinicius as a reliable attacker that will always strive to give an all-round performance. Thus, each minute brings clarity for the squad and manager to adapt.
3. Performance in 2019/2020 El Clasico
Vini’s performance in the El Clasico on 2nd March 2020 helped Real Madrid reach the top of the table in La Liga, and it helped them in winning the 34th league title with finesse. The fixture against FC Barcelona was a challenging game where he displayed stunning quality, especially with his ability to read his teammates.
This fixture became a climax as the player’s situation changed, as did his image in the football world. The build-up for this fixture itself was a big chip on Vinicius’ shoulder because the player suffered from injuries and inconsistent performances that season. However, this was a turning point for him and showed the world a glimpse of what was to come.
4. The brace in the UEFA Champions League group stage 2021/2022
The fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk was a breakthrough for Vinicius. In this match, the team won 5-0 in the group stage, where the Brazillian player bagged two goals. This game showed how Vini’s stance in a one-on-one situation against the rival has improved as the player showed tremendous physical strength and vision to shake off the defenders. This season was not only a successful one for the team but for Vini as well.
After this game, the sportsmanship shown by Vinicius matured into what we see today. This game gave the fans, coach, and squad more reasons to back the Brazilian. As a result, his link-up improved with the team as he constantly adapted in each match without falling prey to muscle overload, inconsistent finishing or movements.
At last, it can be said the player’s efficiency was adding up. The player’s improving intelligence without the ball makes it all worth it. It was only up and onwards after this group stage match performance.
5. The quarter-final performance against Liverpool
The quarter-final against Liverpool saw an incredible performance in a crucial match in the 22-year-old’s career. The winger was superb in the first leg. Not only did he score two goals, but his pace and positioning against a high-pressing team was the biggest deal. This is simply because the player in the 2020/2021 season was under the radar for his physical ability and finishing because of some of the performances he had delivered.
However, in a very crucial moment for the club, the work by Vini was eyecatching as the player was accurate in man-marking when the team was moving with the ball. His speed, dribbling to aim at the target and his finishing, which was a result of the two goals in the 3-1 win.
A superstar in the making, this match was a showstopper that helped build his own mark. As a result, we see the 22-year-old transitioning into a full-fledged club hero.
These top moments defined Vinicius’ destiny as a pure Real Madrid star. The player is a valuable asset whose trust amongst the key people in the club seems to be increasing, and the positive spirit he continues to deploy is for everyone to see.