"When Vinicius Junior scored the opening goal in Real Madrid's 21 win over Rayo Vallecano, the significance of his celebration was impossible to miss. He ran towards the crowd, repeatedly kissing the Real badge on his shirt, before raising his arms and urging the supporters to lift the noise inside the stadium. Throughout the match he continued to engage with the stands, directing his calls for support towards the ultras, who set the tone inside the Bernabeu."
"It felt like an intentional celebration - a chance for him to reaffirm his loyalty to a fan base that has not always returned it. Over the past few months Vinicius has unquestionably become the player most frequently singled out by sections of the Bernabeu crowd with boos, and he was again subject to hostile whistles on Sunday. So why, despite scoring another vital goal, does he continue to divide the Real fanbase?"
"There is no doubt that Real fans are frustrated. Real were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by a second division side, they missed out on an automatic place in the last 16 of the Champions League and must go through the play-offs, and they sit below Barcelona in La Liga. On Sunday they made a win against a team lying 17th in La Liga look difficult, and they are already on their second manager of the season."
Vinicius Junior celebrated by kissing the Real badge, running to the crowd, and urging supporters and ultras to raise the noise inside the Bernabeu after scoring. Sections of the crowd have frequently booed and whistled at him in recent months despite his visible loyalty gestures. Real Madrid have struggled this season, suffering a Copa del Rey exit to a second-division side, failing to secure automatic Champions League qualification, sitting below Barcelona, and using a second manager. Vinicius has eight goals in all competitions and his first La Liga goal since 4 October, and comparisons to much higher scorers have intensified expectations and fan frustration.
Read at www.bbc.com
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