MADRID, Sep 14: Vinícius Júnior is quickly helping the Real Madrid faithful to forget about Kylian Mbappé.
Madrid fans were frustrated with the failed negotiations to bring in Mbappé at the transfer deadline last month, but a few matches into the new season they have found that they can count on Vinícius Júnior.
The fans have embraced Vinícius Junior, and did that literally on Sunday when the young Brazilian jumped into the stands to celebrate with the crowd after scoring in the 5-2 win over Celta Vigo in the Spanish league in the reopening of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after more than 18 months.
The visit to the stands earned him a yellow card.
“Vini is special,” said Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who scored a hat trick on Sunday. “He is young and I really enjoy playing with him. He has shown that he is worthy of playing with this team.”
The 21-year-old Vinícius Júnior got off to a great start this season, scoring four goals in the first four matches and being a crucial part of Madrid’s attack alongside Benzema. The Brazilian had been often criticized for his lack of goals but has clearly improved, becoming an even greater threat as he continues to display amazing speed and uncanny skills.
“He has been playing very well,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “He is at a very high level right now. His quality is impressive.”
Vinícius Júnior, who arrived in 2018 as a teenager from Brazilian club Flamengo for nearly 45 million euros, will be even more important to Ancelotti in the near future as forward Gareth Bale will be sidelined because of a muscle injury.
Madrid has long been after Mbappé to boost its attack but couldn’t get a deal done with Paris Saint-Germain last month despite an offer that reportedly surpassed 200 million euros. The Spanish club will have to wait until next season to try to bring in the France striker. (AP)
