I'm not saying that "he should think about this" or that he should stop doing anything. I just don't understand why everything around Vinicius has to be a discussion. When the Bernabeu was singing that Piques child isn't his and that Shakira left him some of our players joined in: hardly a display of class. I don't mind the celebration, but I do feel like there might be a case where Vini gets yellow carded or impacts the team in a negative way by engaging in this push pull with the fans. Personally I remember players having a really thick skin and trading insults with fans. Football is just football, Vinicius just gets a lot of attention added into him because of his "I just want to play football and have fun" statement. Clearly that's not the case. You want to engage in this public exchange between fans and players. Clearly you enjoy it.
Also a bit of trauma response probably….dude was mocked since he arrived….one way some people react to that is being in constant “ F U” mode to his detractors…. I’m not mad at it if the football follows and if you don’t pick up yellows and reds. But when you’re playing bad….you always look bad reacting this way.
To be honest it's more a reflection of the burden he put on himself. He chose to step forward for social causes and for being a great human overall so now every wrong step he makes will be gladly anticipated from those that don't really like him. They're practically waiting for it.
I get what you’re saying. I think for as long as Vini is playing in Spain this spotlight and the same issues and conversations will likely continue unfortunately. La Liga fans, players and referees have set it into motion, but ended up doing it to a kid that wouldn’t back down or shy from it. I agree, clearly there are plenty of games as examples where it does get to him and it affects his game negatively, which just spurs opposition fans even more. If he was playing for Barcelona, our players would likely do the same to try rattle him, especially someone like Dani.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Vinícius Jr receives his UCL 23/24 Best Player of the Season award. pic.twitter.com/k1HTmcqVit— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 16, 2024 Vinícius Jr. in UCL 21/22 Young Player of the season. Vinícius Jr. in UCL 23/24 Player of the season. What a player. 🤍⭐ pic.twitter.com/mrwxCVKWDj— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 16, 2024 The players congratulated Vinícius Jr on his post. 🤍👏 pic.twitter.com/rW2YZemXDa— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) September 16, 2024
It could be that for Vinicius, telling opposing fans to shut up and being booed is part of having fun and part of the game. Some athletes have admitted that provoking the crowd was something they enjoyed and fed off it. For some players it was part of their personality trait (someone like Romario), for others they built it as a defense mechanism after a while (someone like Djokovic). It could be in the end that Vinicius enjoys this aspect of the game minus the racism part.
I personally think Vini can be the best player in the world and I personally believe he has shown this level. Someone mentioned that he is still 24 which relative to todays society, is quite young. Fortunately, Vini has the good luck to have himself as his own worst enemy. Watching games like today, where he mishits passes, fails to beat players, shoots directly at the goalkeeper frustrates me endlessly because I think he could be such a better player and it kind of sucks to think this could be his ceiling. It’s clear he is the most talented/valuable player on the team and I believe Carlo and the squad look to him to make that difference, not just be a cog in the system, but to pull the team by the scruff of the neck, CONSISTENTLY.
Is it me or Vini exhales anxiety? I know being electric is part of his game, but sometimes he's too wasteful in simple situations.
Vini is playing the position he's always played. The difference is that his role is more nuanced than it used to be. What I mean by that is that, with Benzema... Benzema did the thinking with Kroos behind him so Vini could just go. In a 442 with Bellingham attacking all the time, Jude did all the thinking with Kroos still behind him. Same thing. Vini could just go. But in a 433 where Bellingham is a bit further back and Mbappe is more of a Henry-type CF... the movements and actions aren't that simple for VIni anymore. He can't just go. The dynamic has changed. He has to read the game and the movements a lot more. It's up to him to adjust. Mbappe is the one who is adjusting to playing centrally as opposed to the left. So theoretically, it should be a lot easier for Vini.
He’s been absolute trash for the start of this season. I’m not sure if he will be much better by the time the season is done.
I think he's adapting to what's going on around him on the field, I think the pieces will slowly fall into place. We have a team that needs two footballs to satisfy everybody and this is still a work in progress. Vinicius isn't a creative player, but he is a creator. Meaning when the spaces around him are clear he'll create more chances for himself and others.
One thing we need to figure out is who will take the PKs. Vini and Mbappe were taking turns but now it looks like Jude wants in on the fun. Enough with this nonsense. It should be one guy
Taking turns with PKs is actually very nice IMO if the players are ok with it. Like this, if a player is subbed, injured or we get to PK shootouts, we will always have an experienced kicker taking the PKs. Rodrygo is extremely good at PKs too. The message they're sending is that none of us are superstars on this team. We're playing for each other. Edit: It also becomes impossible for the opposition keeper to prepare for a PK taker since he doesn't know who's going to take it.
He's the best player in the world, that's indisputable and nobody is denying it. He's sharring penalty kicks or his goals scoring numbers would be a lot better, which was never the case with CR7 and Messi. He still as dangerou as ever but like many of the great players and we've seen it time and again at the club, they seem to turn it on and shift into another gear during the second half of the season as the margin for error slims and the stakes increase. He's not desperate to prove himself like it might seem with Mbappe and Endrick who are shooting at anything that moves. I've always been in favor of having more than one penalty kick taker. It makes sense to have a backup plan as is, having a second person getting some opportunities in games. It should also be noted that if player is not the primary PK taker in their NT their claim to be that in Madrid is greatly diminished. The problem I see is Vini being to much of a people pleaser. He's the star player and a veteran with seniority currently in queue for the captaincy. I can understand him wanting to show his humble side and attempting to demure I just hope he brings the swagger back when it's time to take over and turn it on.
Before I was nervous when Vini was taking pens because I knew he wasn’t the best striker of the ball. But after seeing him score a couple of pens under pressure, I’m pretty confident now.
I don't mind if they share penalties amongst themselves, as long as they all have no problem converting them regularly. If someone was missing them then that's another story. As far as Vini is concerned I agree that he is very vocal with the crowds and perhaps it rubs some people the wrong way. It's fine by me as long as he plays well. One thing I can't stand though is when a player falls at the slightest sign of contact, and then stays on the ground pouting and giving out to the ref while the opposition starts their posession without being contested. This is a team sport, while you were running towards the goal, 3 of your teammates made runs too and are in a position to exert pressure high up the pitch. You staying on the ground giving out is now creating passing lanes that will completely cancel out your teammates' good positioning. Look, he's not in his best form, that'll change. Nobody is in top form right now, but this pouting while you could be working is a mentality thing.