How to explain the terrible descent into hell of Vinicius Jr

A year ago, everyone was getting their hands on the head when Rodri was elected Ballon d'Or 2024. Vinicius Jr, who came out of a sacred season with Real Madrid, was the big favorite to win this title of best player on the planet. “I will do 10 times more if necessary. They are not ready “wrote the number 7 Merengue on his social networks, therefore promising a 2024/2025 dementiel exercise. Only, the rest of the events clearly did not honor the promise of the Brazilian star. On the contrary, since for months already, it is a frustrated vinicius junior, not very inspired, and very far from being a candidate for the Ballon d'Or that we see on European and Spanish lawns. In addition to being stuck in various controversies, he whose relationship with Xabi Alonso would be far from ideal.

Inevitably, we can ask questions about the reasons for this Downfall. How could a player so lethal and unbalanced ball have lost his magic in such a short period of time? Even if the opponents have adapted to his way of playing, the first explanation is obviously mental and psychological. Vinicius Jr is a player who struggles to stay focused. To neutralize it, adversaries no longer necessarily need to develop particularly complex defensive plans requiring two or a marking with the Brazilian. They take him out of the match by providing him verbally, like Koke did last weekend during the Madrid derby, repeating to Vini that Mbappé stole the show from him. The public also plays a role and it is clear that the principal concerned tends to frustrate and get out of his match when he is mocked or insulted. If this was not necessarily the case in previous years, it is also because there were leaders in the team who did not hesitate to reframe it and to make it concentrated, like Karim Benzema or Toni Kroos. From now on, he is sort of left to himself, and that does not smile at him.

Less supervised, more exposed

Result of the races, we see a Vinicius Jr who does not hesitate to respond to the rival public or to fall into the provocations of adversaries. One can imagine that the context sometimes tense around his person in Spain – he has often received racist insults and is generally conspired of each game outside – does not help. Before, we saw a Vinicius Jr who played for fun; Now he gives the impression of playing to settle accounts. Tactically, and to clear it a little, it must be noted that it has evolved, whether with Ancelotti or Alonso, in teams with a not necessarily very clear game plan, or at least, not resolutely turned towards the attack, and the other offensive players, with one exception, are hardly more efficient. Precisely, the arrival of Kylian Mbappé in his legs did not help, it is obvious. The problem is not necessarily tactical, since the two men are not really on it. Vinicius JR remains rather glued to the line on the left side, where it is most comfortable, while Kylian Mbappé, despite some dropouts, remains mainly in more axial areas. On paper, they seem compatible, but it is clear that for the moment, it does not work. In addition, they do not seem to get along on the field so much, since the actions where we see the two men combine are very rare.

It is also a question of ego, since Vinicius Jr, who was the star of Real Madrid and the offensive leader of the Madrid training, saw Mbappé pass him as the boss of the team, as the best paid player of the team but also as the main marketing figure of the club. A total downgrading which has necessarily had consequences on mental health and the state of mind of the player. To make sure not to arrange anything, discussions with the club for a new contract do not advance, and while Saudi Arabia Rode, what is obvious is that Real Madrid does not intend to accept the requirements of the Vini clan. A sign that to Madrid, the former Flamengo is no longer the king, and even Florentino Pérez, who served as a paternal figure for him, has detached himself a little from the player, while many advisers and voices weighing in Madrilene public opinion believe that management must separate from his number 7. An all except positive context for Vinicius JR who greatly explains his drast drop of level …