Real Madrid superstar left winger Vinicius Junior is often painted by the press as a villain, and there always seems to be a more sinister motive behind undercutting a young man who has done a lot to help those in need in Brazil and around the world whlie being a consummate professional. His passion on the pitch is misconstrued, and the brutal fouls and even more brutal racism he faces are often brushed over nonchalantly by an increasingly irresponsible European press.
Regardless, VInicius Jr. can never be accused of being a bad teammate. His teammates always speak highly of him, and though his passion can get the best of him and lead to rash bookings in retaliation to what goes unpunished against him, everyone is very understanding because they know his real heart and intentions behind the scenes.
Part of that reason is that in public, Vini Jr. always goes to bat for his guys. His Brazil and Real Madrid teammate in defense, Eder Militao, is in the spotlight ahead of the Bayern Munich game after returning from injury and scoring from a corner off the bench this weekend vs. Mallorca.
Vinicius Jr. picks his guy
VInicius Jr. declared at the press conference before Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich that Militao is the best center back in the whole dang world, via the Madrid Zone, "Éder Militão is one of my best friends. I think he has been unlucky with injuries. For me, he is the best CB in the world."
Although the Premier League loyalysts will scream about Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes or William Saliba, those still living in 2020 will be red in the face about the slovenly Virgil van Dijk, and the deluded will fall for Alessandro Bastoni's mirage, Real Madrid fans will point to all of Eder Militao's big performances despite fires around him.
Militao has been incredible since the declines of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, and he has covered well for more hiccups around him. The only thing holding back Militao and making people forget about his greatness are the major injuries, though you do wonder if he never tore both of his ACLs, would he be even better today.
Vinicius Jr.'s declaration of Eder Militao being the world's best center back will sound bold and even crazy to some buried in the world of only watching the Premier League because it's what their favorite engagement mongers on X watch, but it is not a hot take to the Real Madrid fans and even the La Liga faithful who have watched him blanket attackers for five years now.