Once heralded as a frontrunner for the Ballon d’Or, Vinícius Júnior now finds himself warming the bench at Real Madrid. The Brazilian forward, who dazzled fans with his performances last season, has experienced a dramatic shift in fortunes. After winning LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League in 2024, expectations soared for Vinícius. Many anticipated he would cap off his remarkable year with football’s most coveted individual award. However, when the dust settled, it was Rodri of Manchester City who took home the trophy, leaving Vinícius as the runner-up—a result that shocked many, including former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand, who passionately exclaimed “Ballon d’Or!” multiple times following Vinícius’ goal in the Champions League final.
The disappointment didn’t end there. Following the awards ceremony on October 28, 2024, Real Madrid expressed their dissatisfaction by boycotting the event and severing ties with France Football. In a city where second place is rarely celebrated, Vinícius’ reaction was defiant. He took to social media to declare, “I’ll do it 10x if I have to. They aren’t ready,” signaling his intention to reclaim his status among football’s elite.
Struggles in 2025
Yet, 2025 has not been kind to Vinícius either. Real Madrid ended the previous season without a major trophy, suffering a historic four defeats against Barcelona. Under new head coach Xabi Alonso, Vinícius struggled to find consistency, managing just one goal in six matches during the FIFA Club World Cup. This season has seen him benched three times already, including in Sunday’s LaLiga victory over Getafe. Despite this rocky start, he is expected to feature prominently in the upcoming Clásico against Barcelona at Santiago Bernabéu.
Changing Dynamics
Vinícius no longer stands alone as Madrid’s shining star; that mantle has shifted to Kylian Mbappé, who has been in scintillating form this season with goals in ten of eleven matches. This transition marks a stark contrast from just a year ago when Vinícius was viewed as an indispensable part of Madrid’s attack. Over the past year leading up to his Ballon d’Or snub, he made a compelling case for being among the world’s best players—scoring 18 goals in 30 LaLiga appearances and contributing eight assists while also leading the league in successful dribbles.
His performances in the Champions League were equally impressive; only Harry Kane surpassed his total of eleven goal contributions (eight goals and three assists). A standout moment came on April 30, 2024, when he netted twice against Bayern Munich in a thrilling semifinal clash. Just weeks later, he scored a crucial goal in the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Vinícius’ decline from being a Ballon d’Or favorite to facing scrutiny raises questions about his future at Real Madrid and whether he can regain his status as one of football’s elite talents. With another Clásico looming and pressure mounting, can he rise to the occasion and reclaim his place in the spotlight?
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