Real Madrid stars Vinicius Junior and Arda Guler are heading down totally different paths, and while the club and new manager Jose Mourinho are still rightfully fully backing Vini and giving the two time Champions League winner the full love and confidence he needs to bounce back, the fan reactions towards these two players after the narrow 2-1 win over Espanyol on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 La Liga season speaks volumes.
Whereas Guler made the most out of playing even in an unideal position as a false right winger of sorts, creating seven chances to lead the team, by far, while providing an opening assist for Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. literally created no chances for others or even himself operating from his preferred position on the left side of the attack.
And yet Real Madrid fans, once again frustrated, watched as Guler was subbed off early with Real Madrid creating even fewer chances without him - despite winning in the end, thanks to the scrap of young new signings Yan Diomande and Carlos Espi - while Vinicius got to stay on the pitch and continue to do more of the same.
Vinicius Junior has not been what he was before at Real Madrid
Since the start of the last season, Vinicius Junior has been way up and down, with some performances, such as this one against Espanyol, that are truly shocking and not deserving of the jersey. His chance creation since his 2023/24 Ballon d'Or candidacy has absolutely plummeted, and his decision making seems to be deteroriating instead of developing at a time when Vini is literally entering the prime years of his career.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler does not complain to the refs or make excuses. He works for the team, creates chances, and makes his teammates better with less possession instead of hoarding the ball, keeping it, losing it, and not actually creating anything meaningful for Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and the other offensive stars at Real Madrid.
What makes all of this so frustrating for Real Madrid fans is not that they think Guler is better than Vinicius or that most of them are giving up on Vini or want him out. No, it is the opposite. Guler playing better than Vini but not getting subbed is even more frustrating because Real Madrid fans know how good Vini can be and should be, yet they also want to see him actually have a fire lit under him so he has the urgency to get back to what he was before.
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