It's pretty pointless nowadays anyway, players just stop as soon as they feel a tug, those kits are so stretchy and plastic that they'll rip before anything. I'd very much like to have the wraparound/reacharound allowed both ways, both for a striker looking to move ahead or a defender.
Really just puts into perspective what a unique talent Vinicius really is. Xavi is an all time great player and playmaker, and now he's got Messi, CR7, etc., in sight. And it's not like assists can be stat padded like goals can be, just imagine if Vini got credit for an assists for evey PK he earned that Mbappe or Benzema scored from. You just can't stat pad assists becuase so much goes into a it, it really is an underated skill and the thing that holds Mbappe back from being considered among the trully great players.
Erm... Vini didn't struggle at the beginning of 23/24 season. He was out injured for months. IIRC Vini never really had major dips in form before the balon d'or snub. It's only after the snub, and the fact the club embarrassed itself over it for some reason, that his ego started making it about himself. Forcing his pointless takeons vs multiple defenders, constantly complaining, losing the ball and arguing instead of running back etc. If Vini plays for the team instead of trying to prove to everyone that he's the man, or that he has "2 Champions Leagues", he's pretty consistently great. The problem is that he scarcely did that last season, and portions of this season. His actual form is usually dependant on if he has his head up his ass or not. As physically, he's always been in peak condition until this point of his career.
Why would you want to watch a wrestling match? Because that’s what’ll happen if you allow grabbing - a huge powerlifter will just become a defender and carry the centreforward around the pitch for 90 mins.
❗️Most dribbles completed by Real Madrid players in the Champions League so far. @MadridMuse Viní Jr. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/RU1oQGyvA2— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 23, 2026 Most dribbles completed by Real Madrid players in the Champions League so far. @MadridMuse Viní Jr.
I don't know what sport you guys are watching, but the one I watch involves constant grabbing by defenders to gain back any kind of small advantage, and it is largely allowed unless they pull a jersey so egregiously that it makes an obvious stretch or if a strong pull on the shoulder from behind pulls the attacker down completely, and even then refs often won't call it in an off-ball/set-piece situation.
I would actually like to ban any sort of grabbing and pulling during set pieces to increase scoring if they want to go that route. I would do that before adjusting the offsides rule. On Vini, anyone notice he seems to fade out a lot during the 2nd half of games this season? He's huffing and puffing even at games when he walks on defense.
Why would you think that using your arm to extend the amount of real estate you take up in a positional battle equals picking up and lifting a guy? I would actually like to increase it. More physical play, less tackling/defending with your feet. It will have a positive effect on player health and fitness as well. Nothing worse than the stupid kick ahead, run into the player, stop and complain that everybody including our players does. Awful.
He was decisive tonight. Involved in both goals. Would've been nice if got himself a goal as well. Thank you Vini.
Best player without a doubt again damn shame bunch of numpties only know how to tabulate goal stats as corrrolators.
🚨 Alvaro Arbeloa: "We are lucky to have Vini Jr.Tonight, we tried to create the right opportunities for him to succeed and to create danger." pic.twitter.com/UiGsFoHxGM— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 24, 2026 Alvaro Arbeloa: "We are lucky to have Vini Jr. Tonight, we tried to create the right opportunities for him to succeed and to create danger."
INSANE PASS FROM VINI TO MBAPPE TO WON A PENALTY WOW pic.twitter.com/DqZ32DiU5S— 𝐑𝐈𝐎 ✮ (@Rio_Rmfc) January 24, 2026 The insane pass that led to Mbappe winning the penalty.
Arbeloa everytime he hears Jr.'s name: This is a diluted version of what Benitez did with Bale when the #1 was Cristiano. Arbeloa needs to tread carefully..
🚨 Villarreal fans to Vini Jr: "Vinicius, beach ball, Vinicius, beach ball!"Vini Jr: "LOUDER! LOUDER!" @MPlusDeportes pic.twitter.com/00c46zFln2— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) January 24, 2026 Villarreal fans to Vini Jr: "Vinicius, beach ball, Vinicius, beach ball!" Vini Jr: "LOUDER! LOUDER!" @MPlusDeportes
Very different. Mbappe doesn't have the ego of Ronaldo and Vini isnt an introvert like Bale. Arbeloa is doing the right thing. Vini has been in the spotlight this season for being poor and lashing out at his manager. If roles were reversed he would be doing the same for Mbappe I am sure of it. Anyways, his tactic has worked hasn't it. Now it just has to lead to trophies.
Not a great game from Jr. but not a bad one either.. Incidentally the last time he scored in LaLiga was the home game vs Villarreal back in Oct 2025. Since then, 0 goals and 2 assists in 13 games.
My take is in the game thread. Important win, all else doesn't matter when want to remain on top and hope Barcelona drop points.. + Carreras and Asencio were immense + Camavinga did much better in 2H
Thought Vini was very good today. On another day he gets a goals and a couple of assists. He worked very hard off the ball too. His game just missed a goal but he was wonderful imo.
He did ok today. I expected much better from him after his impeccable showing vs Monaco. Failed in 4 out of 7 dribbles, 2 weak shots that amounted to nothing. 1 off target shot. Hardly a wonderful performance. Ah yes, on another day. But that wasn't today, was it? Hopefully that day is not too far off..
That left footed shot was inches from going in. Created an inch perfect pass to Jude that he fluffed. Some nice intricate passes in tight spaces, created our goal and a wonderful ball for the penalty. You don't have to score to have a great game. Sometimes a goal is the only thing missing and thats what I thought of his game. If he plays like this the goals are definitely going to come. Being stuck on the left wing shackles was never good for him. This version of Vini is more the one we are accustomed too. Asencio plays some excellent crossfield balls that allows Vini to go 1v1 with the RB.
Strange. Goals and assists aren't everything but when he does score or assist, he's back and the oppression has been lifted. We need to pick a lane. But yes, he did pre-create a PK..wonderful It's a bunch of almosts, could and would have beens from him at this point.. Again, not a bad performance at all but not great or wonderful one either.