5 goals and 4 assists – after the ups and downs of last season, fans have finally witnessed the return of Vinícius Júnior, the player who delivers free-flowing, joyful football, in full form this season.
In Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Villarreal, the Brazilian who truly makes Los Blancos’ attacking system click once again broke into a samba dance during the match. Not only did he score twice, but he also led the team in four key statistical categories: completed dribbles (6), chances created (6), shots taken (5), and attacking passes (46).
A year after finishing second in the Ballon d’Or voting, Vinícius seems to have come to terms with Kylian Mbappé being the focal point of the attack and is willing to play in support of the Frenchman. The pair have continued to build on-field chemistry, helping Real Madrid top La Liga this season. When Vinícius won a penalty against Villarreal, he looked up at Mbappé and asked, “Do you want to take the penalty, or shall I?” The Frenchman’s gesture of ceding the spot-kick duties to him carried over to social media after the game: Mbappé posted, “Always by your side,” while Vinícius replied, “We’re in this together, brother.”
Behind the scenes, however, the 25-year-old Brazilian star’s future at Real Madrid remains uncertain – contract extension talks to extend his deal until 2027 have been stuck in a deadlock. Since joining from Flamengo in 2018, he has claimed 3 La Liga titles and 2 Champions League trophies, yet how much longer his smile will light up the Santiago Bernabéu remains unknown.
Speaking about Vinícius, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso admitted, “I love seeing his smile – it’s so important.” This comment carries considerable subtext. Whether Vinícius smiles has become a topic of public debate: when he grins, some see it as a symbol of hope, while others brand him arrogant; when he protests a referee’s decision, he is accused of showing disrespect; when he stays silent, speculation swirls that he is unhappy with his contract; when he cries, he is told to control his emotions. Every dance celebration, every complaint, becomes a public referendum on his character.
Though he has temporarily silenced his critics with the strongest start to a season in his Real Madrid career, skeptics behind microphones, keyboards, and in the stands always lie in wait. In Spain – at least among a segment of the population – people cheer for his goals while constantly scrutinizing his every move.
Few within Real Madrid doubt his ability, but Alonso’s tactical restructuring has shifted Vinícius from the undisputed linchpin on the left wing to just one of several rotational options in the final third. The club believes a decision must be made before next summer, and a split has not been ruled out. Even for a player who has won every major honor, the fight for acceptance continues.
The hostility toward Vinícius is real – backed by specific names, dates, and court rulings. From bridges adorned with hanging effigies of a Black person wearing his jersey to racists sanctioned at Valencia and Mallorca’s stadiums, Spanish football’s judicial culture has long condoned such behavior. Yet every time he points to the stands and demands the referee intervene, the same narrative emerges: “Insults are wrong, but he should be more careful with his words and actions.”
His protests and resistance stem from a harsh reality: he is expected to keep smiling even when subjected to abuse. In Spain, being a Black player means every action is amplified under a lens of cultural judgment. Football insists it is not racist – and that may be precisely the problem. Prejudice no longer shouts; it whispers through commentary, hidden in the tone of a broadcaster’s voice.
Vinícius’ very existence has become a symbol of football’s transformation: modern players are not just athletes, but global citizens who shape their identities through social media. When Lamine Yamal embraces the new era with lavish parties, Vinícius’ “clamor” carries equal meaning. He stands at the intersection of football, race, and modern celebrity – a representative of a new generation that refuses to shrink itself to please others.
To understand Vinícius, there is no need for him to change. Instead, Spain needs to confront the changes it must make itself.
