Salah’s unexpected lunge on Vinícius Jr – nobody expected that!

Real Madrid fans were surprised by Mohamed Salah’s recent statements regarding Vinícius Jr. As Real Madrid prepare to face Valencia this evening, the news surrounding the Auriverde striker and his recent FIFA The Best award continues to dominate the headlines. But it is the unexpected support of Liverpool’s Pharaoh that has caught the eye.

Vinícius Jr was recently crowned the world’s best player by FIFA, an award that highlighted his outstanding performances in 2024. The Brazilian shone with Real Madrid, winning LaLiga, the Champions League, the Spanish Supercup, the European Supercup and the Intercontinental Cup. These successes confirmed his status as a key player for his team and justified his title.

In a moving message after his victory, Vinícius Jr recalled his difficult journey and the obstacles he overcame to reach this level. ‘They tried to invalidate me, to diminish me, but they weren’t ready. I’m the best player in the world, and I fought for it,’ he declared.

Mohamed Salah’s unexpected support for Vinicius Jr

Despite the criticisms of some who are trying to play down Vinícius Jr’s achievements, strong support came from an unexpected player: Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian and Liverpool star voted for the Brazilian in the FIFA The Best elections. The Pharaoh also included Rodri and Dani Carvajal in his choices to show his respect for the Brazilian’s performances. ‘Vinícius Jr is a very good player. He improves every year, and I hope to continue voting for him because he deserves it,’ said Salah.

🚨🗳️ Mo Salah on why he voted for Vini Jr as best player in the world: “Vinicius Jr is very good player, that’s why!”.

“He’s improving every year and hopefully he can continue… I voted for him because he deserves”, told @fredcaldeira @tntsportsmex. pic.twitter.com/yBFeTSe6NU

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2025

Salah’s vote is all the more significant because it comes from a player who plays for a rival club. Liverpool and Real Madrid have a history of rivalry in the Champions League, which makes this gesture even more powerful. The Egyptian has shown that, despite rivalries, respect between players remains paramount.

This support comes at a time when some continue to doubt Vinícius Jr’s abilities. They even preferred Rodri to him for the France Football 2024 Golden Ball. Yet his performances and titles speak for themselves. With Real Madrid, he has proved that he is one of the best players in the world, and Salah’s statements only confirm this.