It definitely is no news that Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Jr has been the object of multiple unfair treatments this season. The Brazilian prodigy has been kicked around, bullied, ragdolled, manhandled and to worsen things, has often gotten on the wrong end of poor refereeing. It also hasn’t helped matters that Vinicius has been dished the kind of racial treatment his counterparts have. And Real Madrid centre-back, Antonio Rudiger has shown his support for the 22-year old Vinicius in a press conference interview ahead of Los Blancos’ second leg Champions League last-16 encounter with Liverpool on Wednesday.
Rudiger on Vinicius:
“I think it’s a 50-50, of course he has to focus on his game because when he does, he’s surely one of the best but it’s also hard when you get kicked at many times and get provoked of course sometimes.”
“And he’s still young, so he’s going through a learning process but I think also the referees have to do sometimes a better job on him. They should treat him like everybody else, not bad or worse, but treat everybody the same.”
The Vinicius Jr metamorphosis.
It’s incredible how fast and how much the Brazilian winger has grown into a well defined role at the Spanish capital. Rewind to few years ago, Madrid fans could have been caught swearing and cursing the 22-year old for spurning chances. Always quick with the ball at his feet and off his feet, Vinicius was reknown for blistering, sporadic runs. But in front of goal, he lacked the ability to compose himself. The winger would often slip awkwardly before he could get a shot away.
But Vinicius has so much to offer Florentino Perez’s side these days. With Karim Benzema now more of a background player at the Santiago Bernabeu, Vinicius is at the forefront of the Spanish giant’s game plan. Without the Brazilian, it’s unarguable to say Madrid won’t have done much this season.
Vinicius ignited the fire that eventually burned out Liverpool at Anfield when the sides clashed two weeks ago. It was that energetic, bubbling, electrifying performance that helped Madrid achieve a much needed comeback after Liverpool had gone ahead through Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
Two goals behind, Vinicius picked the ball on the left flank. A quick one-two and the Brazilian curled it powerfully with his right foot. The shot swept magnificently through the Liverpool box and into the net past Alison’s despairing dive.
His second came via a botched clearance from Alison but his influence on the match and it’s drastic turn was as clear as water.
The Brazilian kept on the pressure for the defending champions. Eder Militao’s bullet header came off a deadball that had been won by Vinicius Jr on the edge of the box and Karim Benzema’s second goal which wrapped up the night came via the prodigy’s intelligent pass.
Vinicius has scored 19 goals in 39 games across all competitions this season and would look to add to his tally when Madrid play Liverpool at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Main image credit Embed from Getty Images
