Vinicius Jr has become a ‘problem’ at Real Madrid on the back of his dispute with Luke Modric, reports in Spain have suggested.
The Brazilian, for a while, was seen as the club’s marquee player, with a number of professional players expressing their disappointment when he missed out on winning the Ballon d’Or last year.
When news broke that it would instead be Rodri lifting the prize, all associated with Real Madrid refused to attend, including the player himself, who finished second, and Jude Bellingham, who came third.
In the summer, meanwhile, a new star was introduced to the club in the form of Kylian Mbappe, who arrived on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain but was suddenly the main man at the club.
Since Mbappe’s arrival, Vinicius Jr has struggled for form. He has still scored 16 goals in 28 games in all competitions, but it has generally been adjudged that his performances have been worse than his fellow attackers.
Things came to a head during Madrid’s game against Leganes in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, when the player appeared to fall out with Modric, and the Spanish media have suggested that the problem is the Brazilian himself.
Vinicius Jr has been branded a ‘problem’ by the Spanish press for his Madrid performances
The forward appeared to clash with Luka Modric during Madrid’s cup win on Wednesday night
It was suggested that the Brazilian has been ‘different’ since the arrival of Kylian Mbappe
Raul Verela, who is a writer for Marca – a pro-Madrid Spanish outlet – expressed his opinion on the forward in his latest piece.
He wrote: ‘It’s official: Vinicius has become a problem for Real Madrid that is as difficult to resolve as putting together a defensive quartet that inspires confidence before playing for the league lead against Atlético de Madrid.
‘The Brazilian No 7 was only seen laughing in Butarque when, on the way to the bus, he ran into the great Ibai Llanos with whom he exchanged words and hugs. I say that he could have something of our unique streamer who exudes sympathy wherever he goes and radiates a good vibe that, on the other hand, the Real Madrid winger seems to have definitely lost (form).
‘I don’t know if it was the Ballon d’Or that they didn’t give him, the The Best that they did give him, the coexistence at all levels with Mbappe or the call from Saudi Arabia that he doesn’t really feel like answering for himself, but yes for his surroundings. The fact is that this Vinicius is different.’
Modric’s frustration towards Madrid team-mate Vinicius Jr was on full display on Wednesday night, as fans saw the 39-year-old gesturing furiously at the Brazilian during his side’s narrow win.
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Luka Modric fumes at Vinicius Jr for not defending days after winger fell out with another team-mate
Madrid, who are suffering an availability crisis in defence with senior stars David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal all out through injury, edged past Leganes thanks to a 93rd minute goal from substitute Gonzalo Garcia.
But the match was overshadowed by a key moment suggesting that all may not be well in the Real Madrid camp, as Carlo Ancelotti’s side gear up for a seismic week.
Footage of Modric waving his arms furiously at Vinicius Jr while Real Madrid were organising themselves defensively in the last five minutes of the match went viral on social media, as fans expressed fears over a fallout between the two stars.
According to Marca, Modric went over to Vinicius Jr asking him to help the team out defensively moments after a Leganes counterattack.
