Vinícius Júnior has become one of the most skillful players on the planet and he’s getting punished for it.
His quick feet, speed and Brazilian genes have turned him into a player that can provide both goals and assists when needed. Heading into the World Cup, Vini Jr is perhaps the most exciting debutant talent to see at the tournament, and he's leading a hungry and promising Brazil attack alongside Neymar.
| Vinicius Junior heading into the World Cup:
• 21 games played
• 16 wins
• 3 draws
• 10 goals
• 5 assists
• 57 dribbles completed
• 37 key passes
• 8 big chances created
• 63 fouls wonLet's carry this form into the World Cup @ViniJr pic.twitter.com/ExaCgVqjEW
— ًَ (@ViniXtra_) November 10, 2022
He’s a problem… that’s dealt with by constant fouling.
Compilation video of Vini Jr getting hacked
Real Madrid’s last two league games saw los Blancos drop points and concede the top of the table to Barcelona.
A loss to Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas and a heavily fought for home victory against Cadíz had the Galácticos suffering, especially Vini Jr.
When you play against a skillful player, you're taught to either “let the ball pass or the player, but never both.”
This is, in fact, a lot of LaLiga defenders’ favorite saying and they’re executing it perfectly against Real’s No. 20.
Una imagen vale más que mil palabras. pic.twitter.com/mE54uvVMRN
— Grada Fans RMCF (@GradaFansRMCF) November 12, 2022
I’ll have a dollar for every time Vini gets fouled, please.
"Vinícius needs to be protected." -Real Madrid
The Brazilian is getting fouled so often that it's become a growing concern for the club. Real Madrid believes "he should be protected more."
MARCA: Real Madrid are concerned because they believe that Vinicius should be protected more. Despite there already being 55 red cards in LaLiga - compared to 10 in the Premier League - they can't understand how Fali's challenge wasn't even a foul. pic.twitter.com/Trcoj90XzJ— Real Madrid News (@onlyrmcfnews) November 13, 2022
The 21-year-old winger is LaLiga's most fouled player per 90 minutes, receiving 4.9 fouls a game.
❗️| Vinicius receives 4.7 fouls per 90 this season, the most in the league. @beINSPORTS
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) November 11, 2022
Being talented comes with a price in Spain.
Now, for the young Brazilian’s sake, we hope we have compilations of him shredding the pitches of Qatar rather than of him getting brutally fouled every five minutes.