"It was supposed to be Vinícius Júnior's year. In 2024 Real Madrid's star forward had won LaLiga, and he'd won the UEFA Champions League. Next, logically, would be the Ballon d'Or. Almost everybody thought so, a feeling most vociferously expressed by former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, who bellowed "Ballon d'Or!" into a microphone six times -- count them -- after Vini Jr. scored Madrid's second goal in the 2024 Champions League final."
"In Madrid, second-best isn't nearly enough. Vini Jr.'s reaction was one of defiance as he bombastically posted on social media: "I'll do it 10x if I have to. They aren't ready," The message was clear: If not this year, then next year. It's a matter of time. But 2025 hasn't been Vinícius' year, either. Real Madrid ended last season without a major trophy, losing a record-breaking four Clásicos to Barcelona along the way."
Vinícius Júnior entered 2025 expected to follow his 2024 success toward individual honors but has struggled to sustain that momentum. Real Madrid finished the previous season without a major trophy and lost four Clásicos to Barcelona. Vinícius scored once at the FIFA Club World Cup and has been benched multiple times this season under coach Xabi Alonso. Meanwhile Kylian Mbappé has surged, scoring in 10 of 11 games and becoming Madrid's new standout. Vinícius remains in the squad and is expected to start the next Clásico, but his status as the club's brightest star has dimmed.
Read at ESPN.com
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