BARCELONA, Spain. — BARCELONA, Spain. (AP) — Always in the center of attention, Vinícius Júnior has gone from hero to villain for many Real Madrid fans.
The Brazilian star has scored crucial goals to secure Champions League titles, come close to winning the Ballon d’Or and led a fight against racism in Spanish football – and all this at the age of 25.
And yet, now, many Madrid fans have turned their backs on him.
The crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium booed him loudly during the last two home games. His name was booed when it was announced before kick-off and when he touched the ball during the 2-0 win over Levante last weekend. And the boos returned in the early stages of the midweek match against Monaco in the Champions League.
His solid performance against Monaco, which included a goal and three assists, seemed to appease the crowd somewhat, with the boos dissipating in the second half.
But with speculation that Saudi Arabia’s cash-laden league still wants Vinícius, the coming months could be decisive for a player whose contract expires in 2027.
Asked on Friday if he expected Vinícius and the club to agree on a new contract extension soon, coach Álvaro Arbeloa said it was not his turn to get involved.
“It’s not up to me, it’s up to the club and the player. Of course I want him to continue making history here,” said the former Madrid defender, who took over as technical director of the team at the beginning of this month.
Vinícius was reportedly unhappy playing for the former Madrid midfielder, who substituted him more often than his predecessor Carlos Ancelotti, under whom Vinícius dazzled. The Brazilian apologized to fans on social media after his public outburst after being replaced by Alonso in the classic against Barcelona in October.
The skilled striker was also held responsible for his part in Madrid’s embarrassing elimination from the Copa del Rey against a second division team on Arbeloa’s debut.
Other players, including Jude Bellingham, have also been booed, but Vinícius has taken the brunt of the fans’ frustrations.
Kylian Mbappé, his strike partner, made a passionate defense of Vinícius before the game against Monaco, asking fans not to focus their anger on him.
“He is a human being,” stressed the French star. “He is a great player. He is an incredible guy, I am lucky to know him and I am very fond of him. We have to protect him better. So that he is not alone against people. He is not alone in Madrid. We are all with him. If he is at his best level he is one of the best in the world.”
Mbappé spoke after images emerged in which he appeared to be comforted by Vinícius, who had his head in his hands when he heard the Bernabéu crowd whistle when his name was announced before the game against Levante.
Ancelotti’s return to lead Madrid in 2021 coincided with the advancement of Vinícius and his transformation into one of the best forwards in the world. He managed to take advantage of the large number of goal opportunities he created on the left wing.
He scored the only goal of the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool. He also scored in a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 final as the meringues lifted the 15th European Cup in their history.
He demanded that La Liga officials do more to stop the abuse and was praised for not backing down from provocative fans.
But Vinícius’ level of performance has declined since he failed to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, months after winning a second Champions League. Madrid felt their player had been snubbed when he came in second place behind Manchester City midfielder Rodri Hernández and canceled plans to attend the awards gala.
He also gained a reputation as a player who provoked opposing players, sometimes to the point of losing focus on the game, an attitude that sometimes tested the patience of his coaches.
The pressure will be on him to lead a Brazil team now coached by Ancelotti and carrying the country’s enormous expectations of winning a sixth title.
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