After a poor performance against Espanyol on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 La Liga season, Real Madrid superstar left winger Vinicius Junior was in dire need of a bounce back performance against Real Sociedad. While the attention was rightfully spent on Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe for being the best players on the pitch in the blowout 4-1 victor with crucial role players Dean Huijsen, Arda Guler, Fede Valverde, Bernardo Silva, and Ibrahima Konate also stepping up big time, the loudest ovation of the night went to Vini Jr.
The Santiago Bernabeu showered the Brazilian international with love and praise after his goal and assist. Vini was far more decisive and efficient in the final third, and instead of getting caught in the mind games of the referees and complaining about fouls, Vinicius was focused and actually creating a bevy of chances for his teammates.
Vinicius Jr. has been forced to deal with a lot of external and even internal criticism from the fan base, and there have been a lot of false things said about him, with one of the most egregious and persistent being this idea that Vinicius does not work hard enough defensively.
Marc Cucurella has Vinicius Junior's back
Well, the man who is going to start behind him every week to support him defensively, former Chelsea star left back Marc Cucurella, is not having it at all, and after praising Kylian Mbappe's quality, Cucurella went arguably even harder in favor of Vinicius Jr., specifically pointing out how hard he works on the defensive end for Real Madrid.
Cucurella told reporters after the huge win over Real Sociedad, via the Madrid Zone, “Offensively, I can’t say much about Viní because he’s such a talented player. Today, he was engaged and pressing till the end. I see him fully engaged, and players who try to give 100% defensively are VERY important, and make us all try to be at our best.”
Hearing that from Marc Cucurella, who can be blunt and speak his mind, is massive, and there is a lot of hope from Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid that the Spanish and Brazilian internationals can work hard together and bring out the best in each other.
That mutual effort is at the core of a great left back and left wing relationship, and it's clear that Cucurella admires and respects Vinicius. And for him to have his back like this and address a massive misconception about Vinicus's work rate head on this early in the season is a wonderful sight.
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