Vinicius in the midst of a wave of change at Real Madrid

Vinicius has not shown any explosiveness.

But 365 days later, people saw a different Vinicius. A player with many worries, little freedom, and struggling between the old glory and the harsh reality at Bernabeu.

Paris, October 2024. The Ballon d'Or night at the Châtelet Theatre was supposed to be Vinicius's day. But Rodri stepped onto the podium, while Vinicius sent a cold message on social media: "I'll do it 10 times more if necessary. They're not ready . "

That line was once the declaration of a confident star. Today, it echoes as a reminder: that promise remains unfulfilled.

Since then, Vinicius has lived in contradiction. He is still the joy of Real Madrid, still dedicated and fighting. But at every stadium, boos and jeers still surround him. He learned to endure the harshness of public opinion when he was 18, and now, at 25, he has to learn the lesson again, this time with more solitude.

Cristiano Ronaldo once said: “Vinicius deserves the Ballon d’Or”. Such praise from a legend is not easy to come by, but it also puts a huge pressure on his shoulders. Because from then on, every missed shot, every time he loses the ball is scrutinized more closely.

Vinicius still shone against Atalanta, Salzburg, even burned the Bernabeu against Man City. But when Real needed him most, against Arsenal, against Atletico, that light disappeared. The season ended with a consolation European Super Cup and disappointment in the King's Cup final.

The arrival of Xabi Alonso opens a new chapter. Xabi brings order, calculation and a team that revolves around Mbappe. For Vinicius, it is both a challenge and an opportunity. He is no longer the only star, but if he adapts, he will be more mature than ever.

The problem is, Vinicius is still torn between instinct and discipline. He wants to play freely, but Real are now a winning machine, where every action is defined by efficiency.

Vinicius is still a player to watch.

Three consecutive games on the bench, three early substitutions, those numbers are enough to speak of the change. The scoring rate dropped from 0.6 to 0.4 goals per game. But in adversity, his instincts still spoke.

Five goals in ten La Liga games, his best start since the 2021/22 season, is proof that Vinicius has not lost his ability to make a difference. Despite dropping 14 places in the latest Ballon d'Or list, he is still the player Real need to make the difference in big games.

The good news is that Vinicius isn't giving up. He's learning to control his emotions, learning to control the anger that used to distract him.

Vinicius's frustration at being substituted in El Clasico was not a picture of decline, but of a warrior who has not accepted defeat. He still has the fire that brought Real Madrid to the top of the Champions League.

A year after missing out on the Ballon d'Or, Vinicius is still there, different, calmer, but still hungry. He understands that the Mbappe era may be opening, but that does not mean his time is closing. Every acceleration, every turn can still change the game, if he can find the balance between himself and the team.

Vinicius is at a crossroads. Ahead is the chance to rewrite his own story. He once scared the whole of Europe with his speed and arrogance. Now, Vinicius needs to impress the world with his character and maturity. If he can do that, he will not only be back to his best, but also become the complete player that Real Madrid have always expected.

Source: https://znews.vn/vinicius-giua-con-song-doi-thay-o-real-madrid-post1597955.html