'Vini Jr. goes back 5 years': Spanish newspaper says Brazilian is no longer untouchable at Real Madrid

Having played four substitute appearances and no longer considered untouchable at Real Madrid under coach Xabi Alonso , Vini Jr. is going through a period of decline for Real Madrid, but he is once again a leading contender for the Ballon d'Or award. Far from being the decisive player, his performance, according to the Spanish press, is similar to that of the 2020/2021 season, when he was a promising youngster fresh from Brazilian football.

According to the sports newspaper Marca, this reality is reflected in the athlete's performance. This season, he has played 349 minutes out of a possible 540, which represents a 65% success rate.

Five years ago, when he was still an aspiring starter, the situation was similar. Under Zinedine Zidane's guidance, he played 312 minutes in six matches: three as a starter and the other three as a substitute.

Considering last season, the decline in performance of the Flamengo -born player is even more evident. He started the first six matches and played the entire game in two matches. Out of a possible 540 minutes, he played 526, representing a percentage of 97%.

Since he burst onto the football scene as a standout performer, the 2021/2022 season has been the one that showcased the striker at his best. A World Cup winner with the club, he took off after starting four matches, playing over 400 minutes in the first six matches.

Once a regular starter, the Brazilian athlete arrives at this Ballon d'Or as a luxury option for Xabi Alonso. The coach, however, seeks to downplay the issue of the star's increased bench presence. "He wasn't very happy (being substituted in the victory over Espanyol), but I'm pleased with his performance," said the coach, who won the team's first six La Liga games and is leading the tournament.