While he is going through a season far below the expected standards, Vinicius Junior will have to accept Real Madrid’s new decision regarding Kylian Mbappé.
A true star of the Madrid squad for several years, Vinicius Junior has lost ground since the arrival of Kylian Mbappé. Much older and a true darling of the Spanish press due to his fame and long-standing connection with Los Blancos, the French forward wasted no time in establishing himself. With several matches still to go before the end of the season, KM9 already has 33 goals to his name. On course to surpass Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally in his first season at Madrid, Mbappé is undoubtedly set to go even further and position himself as a serious contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.
Real Madrid want Mbappé to be the free-kick specialist
Last season, Vinicius Junior was the spearhead of Real Madrid and a genuine contender for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. However, he has now become a mere spectator in the race for the Pichichi. Despite enjoying substantial playing time, the Brazilian winger is no longer scoring—in short, he is no longer shining. As Real Madrid enters a crucial phase of the season, all eyes are on Mbappé. The Frenchman netted twice last weekend, including a stunning free-kick, earning praise from Carlo Ancelotti.
On Monday, Marca journalist José Luis Sanchez revealed a bombshell about Madrid’s management. Determined to quickly crown Kylian Mbappé and make him the club’s sole superstar, Real Madrid have reportedly taken steps to enhance the French forward’s efficiency. According to reports, Florentino Pérez wants to turn the 26-year-old into a set-piece specialist (free-kicks and penalties). To achieve this, Mbappé has been training with the coaching staff on set-piece scenarios, working on various in-game situations during these sessions.
A bitter message for Vinicius
Seeing KM9 score a free-kick against Leganés last Saturday was no coincidence. After finding the net, Kylian immediately pointed towards and ran to the touchline to celebrate with Carlo Ancelotti’s assistants. Today, the message is clear for Vinicius Junior and the rest of the squad: Mbappé is the club’s new figurehead, and the management is ready to do whatever it takes to solidify this vision.
At the club since 2018, Vinicius Junior, who missed a major opportunity to win the Ballon d’Or last year, no longer enjoys Real Madrid’s full backing. To reclaim his place at the forefront, the 24-year-old Brazilian will have to fight alone, delivering outstanding performances in big matches and shining once again. With KM9 gradually taking up more space in the team, things are looking increasingly difficult for Vini.
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