There have been so many deeply disappointing storylines around Real Madrid this season, but perhaps the most disconcerting has been the regreesion and devolution of Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid left winger has gone from one of the most beloved member of the squad to somebody whom some Madridistas would rather see leave so that the club can avoid any squabbles between him and Kylian Mbappe as to who the top dog of the attack is.
It is honestly unfathomable and quite sad to see Real Madrid fans doubt Vinicius Jr. in this way, but even his biggest supporters have to admit that the Brazilian superstar's conduct this season has been troubling. It is one thing for an outside like Mbappe to come in and fail to integrate, and Mbappe's lack of effort and ego issues are a story in its own self.
But Vinicius has allowed himself to get dragged into Mbappe's games, and now he is the one made to look worse. Whereas Mbappe is cold and calculating with how he reacts, Vinicius Jr. wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is more likely of the two to be villainized, including by his own fans, despite him having two Champions League titles to Mbappe's zero.
Vinicius Jr. was the superstar, now no longer
Vinicius Jr. has proven himself to Real Madrid twice as a superstar, and his track record in the biggest games of the Champions League, especially his intensity and ability to elevate others with chance creation, are well documented.
But he is destroying himself this season. Vinicius was spotlighted as the catalyst for the Xabi Alonso firing with his outbursts and inability to get along with a man whom everyone has always spoke highly about at all of his stops as a player and manager - including at Real Madrid in the early 2010s when he was a pivotal figure in La Decima.
Vinicius Jr. has helped cost Real Madrid this season by playing below his highest standard yet again, causing drama on the pitch, and failing to see eye to eye with Alonso for months. And if he keeps going at this rate, it will be impossible for even Florentino Perez to reconcile Mbappe and him together, and he may be forced to finally choose between the two. And with so much tied up in Mbappe financially and commercially and with Mbappe having the goals, Florentino will obviously pick his obsession rather than admit the Mbappe signing failed.
Truly, Vinicius Jr. is more victim of circumstance than villain, and the grand architect of Real Madrid's demise lies in the newcomer from Ligue 1. However, Vini Jr. has done himself no favors with his actions, nor has he played at an elite level this season either. He has put himself in a bad spot - and he has put his team in arguably a worse one with another trophyless season down the drain.
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