Forward Vini Jr. is going through a turbulent time at Real Madrid, marked by being benched for tactical reasons, a goal disallowed by VAR, and a straight red card for unsportsmanlike conduct against Villarreal.
Saturday night at the Santiago Bernabéu was a true test of resilience for Vini Jr. The forward, who recently lost his status as an undisputed starter under manager José Mourinho, began the match against Villarreal on the bench, highlighting a period of instability that has concerned both fans and experts.
Despite the individual struggles of the player who came up through the ranks at Flamengo, Real Madrid managed to secure three important points in the Spanish League, winning the match 1-0. The victory keeps the Madrid side in pursuit of league leaders Barcelona, who continue their flawless campaign in the domestic competition.
A string of fatal errors
The Brazilian entered the pitch in the 52nd minute, replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the 62nd minute, Yan Diomande found the back of the net, securing the narrow lead. However, the peak of the tension occurred in the 72nd minute, when Vini Jr. himself scored, but the goal was ruled out following a video review.
The officiating crew determined that the number 7 had pulled Saliba‘s hair at the start of the play, resulting in a straight red card. The player’s frustration was evident as he confronted the referee’s decision, which did not change the final verdict and left the team a man down for the final moments of the match.
“What a tough phase for Vini Jr.! After poor performances during the international break for the Brazil national team, the forward now returns to Real Madrid, is relegated to the bench, and gets sent off. A worrying moment for the future of his career; he needs to regain his best form immediately.”
Table standings and upcoming fixtures
With this result, Real Madrid sits in third place in La Liga with 18 points, behind Atlético de Madrid and Barcelona. The expulsion carries an automatic suspension for the club’s next match in the tournament, scheduled for the 18th against Sevilla.
The big question now revolves around the lineup for Wednesday’s (14th) clash against Roma in the UEFA Champions League. Manager José Mourinho will have to decide whether to keep faith in the Brazilian or if he will continue to lose his place in the starting XI at such a crucial point in the European season.
