It was exactly over a year ago – at half-time in Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League group-stage tie against German outfit Borussia Mochengladbach – that Karim Benzema complained to teammate and French counterpart Ferland Mendy and instructed him not to pass to Brazilian Vinicius Jr as a result of the youngster’s greed and immaturity in the final third.
As ruthless and as rude as it was for Benzema to behave in such a way, the incident reflected the difficulties and struggles Vinicius Jr endured at this period in his Real Madrid career.
Certainly, he’s young, showing levels of immaturity at such a level, over-exuberant at times but it was expected especially in the context of where he came from, the branch offices of Flamengo, in the neighborhood of Mutuá, in São Gonçalo.
An area where he was taught to showboat, to express himself and to become the best trickster no matter if it came at the cost of his own team.
When Vinícius Júnior joined Real Madrid, he had it all. Well, almost. His all-round game was exciting. Dribbling second to none. Pace better than any of his opponents. Skill-set unmatched. No-one could keep up with him.
That’s who we was, a flamboyant footballer who always tried the audacious tricks, shots and pieces of skill not knowing how it could affect his teammates around him, and you’d be sure a player as experienced and decorated as Benzema is, he’d understand the nature of such a footballer seeing as he grew up in similar circumstances in France.
But when you’re as celebrated and successful as Benzema is, you expect the players around you to be hold similar mindsets and a winning mentality and it was evidently clear Vinicius Jr didn’t, which was no fault of his own.
It’s as if every time the Brazilian got to the final third, he’d slip up, either by shooting wayward when a pass to a fellow teammate would have sufficed or his over-exuberance getting the better of him attempting one or two tricks too many.
It was a recurring theme in Vinicius’ game, proving a tough cycle for him to grow out of.
But, things are much different now, fast forward a year and a month or so, you’d be delighted at the growth and maturity that the former Flamengo wing-wizard is currently performing at.
Under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, the change in his game has been magnificent, spellbinding, fearless, you name it. Vinicius Jr is a different animal and Karim Benzema now cannot get enough of him.
With ten goals and five assists in 17 appearances in all competitions, Vinicius has already surpassed his best goals and assists tally in just 17 games, only a third of the number of appearances he made in the 2020/21 season with Zinedine Zidane.
In truth, the turnaround and maturity in his decision-making and all-round game has been nothing short of phenomenal. In 2020/21, he underperformed xG by a remarkable 3.82. For context, that’s twice as bad as anyone else in the Real Madrid squad. In 2021/22, he’s overperforming by 2.04 xG, a figure more than twice as good as anyone else, excluding Karim Benzema.
Benzema-dependencia, as the Spanish media like to call Real Madrid’s reliance on Karim Benzema for goals, well that phrase has been thrown out the window as a result of Vinicius Jr’s sudden purple patch. Now, Karim Benzema who didn’t approve of the Brazilian over a year ago, simply cannot perform without him.
While its a testament and credit to the 21-year-old, the credit must also be given to Carlo Ancelotti who has totally unleashed the Brazilian with undying belief and faith in his abilities.
This is what the Real Madrid faithful had been waiting for all along, even more so, president Florentino Perez who initially desired Neymar to fulfil his galactico-type gratification but instead had to make do with Vinicius Jr.
Vinícius scored five in La Liga’s opening five games. By matchday six, he’d already been involved in eight goals and was stepping up as one of LaLiga’s most influential players, while also racking up six goal involvements in four Champions League appearances.
Injuries have played their part. Rodrygo Goes, Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale have all struggled with fitness, while Vinícius has shone on the field while staying fit. While all three have had long-term issues, Vini has only missed one game since May 2019, but his improvements have gone far beyond just keeping fit.
“I think Vinícius has a lot of quality in one-on-ones,” the Italian coach said after the 21-year-old single-handedly tore apart Alavés. “I’ve told him that to score goals he has to take one or two touches, it’s difficult to score with four or five touches. He’s a very young player, he’s going to improve.”
It’s become a common theme so far this season; the Brazilian wing-wizard tormenting defences and tearing apart opposition defenders with peerless pieces of skill, but all of that is down to the confidence rewarded to him from players like Benzema, but more importantly the extra training sessions and his ability to heed to the advice given to him by his coaches.
Vinicius is no longer that naïve, overconfident and inexperienced raw talent that arrived through the Real Madrid doors in 2018. He’s now more an assured, mature and decorated performer, still possessing bags of potential to become even greater and that spells such great news for Real Madrid, a healthy return on their risky investment.
Vinicius has shown this season whatever the situation, he can and will create – whether it be scoring or assisting, he is quickly becoming a central protagonist within Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real lacked a character that was the focal point, a player who constantly threatened the opposition, and a target for opposition supporters. For all the brilliance of Benzema, the Frenchman is in actual fact universally loved and respected for his more silent and respectful demeanor.
Many thought it’d be Eden Hazard when he arrived from Chelsea, but his move hasn’t quite worked out because of injuries and lack of fitness. Gareth Bale was supposed to be the chosen one after Ronaldo left, but fans haven’t still taken quite a liking to him.
Vinicius looks the perfect candidate, he thrives in the chaos he creates, he’s comfortable with the attention he is garnering. The Brazilian is willing to stand up and wave the flag for the club, whether it be at the Mestalla, Wanda Metropolitano or Camp Nou.
The Clàsico earlier this season proved the perfect example of the mentality monster Vinicius has become. In enemy territory, in the face of much abuse, booing and jeering, he proved all-throughout to be a thorn in Barcelona’s side.
The Brazilian destroyed Barca’s right-hand flank, so much so that former boss Ronald Koeman withdrew Oscar Mingueza at halftime as a result. He may not have registered a goal or an assist, but it was clear throughout his time on the pitch, Vinicius was at the centre of Real’s attacks – a constant outlet and his teammates thrived off it.
Against Granada over the weekend, Vinicius stepped up when Real needed him most. Los Blancos were seemingly unsettled by the hosts, struggling to create and break through their stubborn backline. After the half-time break, it was Vinicius who proved the decisive contributor once again.
He played a part in a move which he finished off, within ten minutes of that, he had forced Monchu to desperately lunge at him after the Brazilian left him in his wake. The Granada midfielder was correctly sent off as a result as Vinicius lay on the turf, a smile on his face winning the battle and making his contribution toward winning the war.
All of that came just seconds after the Brazilian completed mazy jinking run ghosting past a hatful of Granada defenders, and fouling him in such a manner is now the only way defenders can stop him, yet the Brazilian would always finish the game having the last laugh.
The Brazilian finished the Granada match with a goal, 61 touches, a key pass, five dribbles, 3 shots on target with a WhoScored rating 8.58. Those stats only merely scratch the surface when analysing the kind of influence he is having on his teammates.
Amongst players in La Liga, Vinicius Jr ranks first for progressive distance carried per 90 (250.9), first for progressive carries (13.3), first for carries into the final third (3.67) and first for carries into the penalty area (3.94) highlighting his amazing dribbling efficiency but also incredible knack of taking on the responsibility in driving Real Madrid up the pitch.
He ranks second for goal-creating actions (9) and third for shot-creating actions (62) once again showing that he is being trusted with leading Real Madrid’s attacks and the growing responsibilities afforded to him.
This season, Vinícius is more incisive and clinical, no longer doubting, hesitating or waiting for that split second. While in both 2019/20 and 2020/21 he made an average of 1.2 shots per 90 minutes, the number has risen to 2.8 per 90 in 2021/22. Much of that is down purely to confidence and a greater sense of urgency in Real Madrid’s all-round play.
Vinicius Jr has certainly grown and matured into one of Europe’s most complete performers right now, and that is showing through his performances but also more importantly his goal returns have taken a huge boost and that’s a credit to him recognizing the areas in which to improve on in the final third, and its now reaping its just rewards.
The question is now, can he translate this sort of form on a consistent basis for years to come or will it drown out like so many of other young talents before him? That’s for him to decide, but the ball is totally in his flawlessly talented court.
Those previous doubts surrounding Vinicius’ naivety and recklessness in the attacking areas are fading away. There can be little doubt over his raw talent. His passion and abilities is almost trademark Brazilian, and his drive is unrivalled in the modern game. His technical ability is magnificent, and he now appears to have the finishing skills to match. He’s proven that he’s more than a young winger with flair, he’s a man who can make a difference and win a game on his own.
Real Madrid have always possessed a talent capable of taking games by the scruff of the neck, and Vinicius Jr is now the latest in a very long line of decorated and pure footballing talents. Long may his stunning form continue.
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