For years, Vinicius Junior has been below fixed scrutiny from the media, followers, and even his fellow gamers. His on-field performances have typically been overshadowed by controversies, incomes him the animosity of many. Now, his Actual Madrid teammate Thibaut Courtois has spoken out on the matter.
“Many have mocked him—he arrived as a child,” Courtois stated, in keeping with AS, throughout Tuesday’s press convention forward of the UEFA Champions League match in opposition to Juventus. “He’s been bettering.”
The feedback got here in response to the most recent controversy surrounding Vinicius. On Sunday, throughout Actual Madrid’s 1–0 win over Getafe, he got here off the bench within the second half and delivered a standout efficiency, enjoying a key function within the crimson playing cards proven to Alex Sancris and Allan Nyom.
“That’s why everybody hates you,” was the comment Getafe defender Juan Iglesias reportedly directed at Vini in the course of the match, after a foul drawn by the Brazilian winger. “When there’s no respect, issues like this occur,” Iglesias stated after the sport, referring to the heightened tensions directed at Vinicius.
Vinicius Junior of Actual Madrid argues with Mauro Arambarri of Getafe.
However on Tuesday, Thibaut Courtois struck a really totally different tone, firmly backing his Actual Madrid teammate. “The opposite day, he wasn’t scary anybody, however they had been attempting to get below his pores and skin,” the Belgian goalkeeper stated. “His efficiency was actually good… He simply has to remain targeted on his sport.”
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Courtois compares Vinicius to 2 previous stars
In the identical press convention, Thibaut Courtois was requested whether or not Vinicius’s frequent involvement in controversies had extra to do with an inclination to get into these conditions on goal—as a manner of boosting his efficiency.
Courtois disagreed with that take and defended his teammate. “It’s not at all times simple when the entire stadium is in opposition to you, when gamers are continually fouling you…They attempt to take you out of the sport,” stated Thibaut.
“I feel he’s realized to reside with it and even to frustrate his opponents, and I’m okay with that,” the Actual Madrid goalkeeper added, earlier than drawing a comparability with two of his former teammates. “It’s what Diego Costa did after I was at Atletico Madrid, or what (Eden) Hazard did at Chelsea.”
Vinicius struggling to safe his place at Actual Madrid
After being Actual Madrid’s high star lately—particularly following Karim Benzema’s departure to Al Ittihad in 2023—Vinicius now faces a brand new problem. For the reason that arrival of Xabi Alonso as head coach, the highlight has shifted to Kylian Mbappe, who has shortly develop into the group’s undisputed chief via his targets and performances.
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This new actuality has positioned Vinicius in an uncomfortable place. Actual Madrid’s play is not centered round him, neither is he the go-to attacking choice when the group wants a spark. A lot so, the Brazilian winger not has a assured spot within the beginning lineup and now finds himself competing with Rodrygo and Franco Mastantuono.
