'Vinicius smiling again but his future has never been more uncertain'

"Vinicius Junior is smiling again. Five goals, four assists, and there is a feeling that football has returned to his body this season - fluid, joyful - after a mixed campaign last time round. In Saturday's 3-1 win against Villarreal, the Vinicius who makes Real Madrid tick danced once more. He came away with two goals, and was also the team's leader in dribbles (six), chances created (six), total shots (five), and passes in the final third (46)."

"A year after his own second-place Ballon d'Or finish, it also seems Vinicius has accepted that Kylian Mbappe's leadership of the attack is beyond question, as the duo continue to combine in devastating fashion to help Real to the top of La Liga. Against Villarreal, when Vini went to ground, he looked up at Mbappe. "You or me?" he asked the designated penalty taker. The Frenchman handed him the role, a sign of affection that continued after the match on social media. "Always on your boat," wrote Mbappe. Vinicius replied: "We sail together, brother.""

"But behind the scenes, the 25-year-old Brazilian's Real Madrid future has never been more uncertain as talks to extend his contract beyond 2027 continue to stall. He left Flamengo to join Real in 2018 and has won three La Liga titles and the Champions League twice, but how long his smile continues to grace the Bernabeu remains to be seen."

"Xabi Alonso, his new coach in Madrid, said: "I like to see him smile - it's very important." It was a revealing comment. Whether Vinicius smiles or not has become a national debate. When he smiles, some hail him as a symbol of hope; others accuse him of arrogance. When he protests, he's called disrespectful. If he stays quiet, people say he's unhappy with his contract. If he cries, they tell him to behave."

Vinicius Junior has started the season strongly with five goals and four assists, showing fluid, joyful football after a mixed previous campaign. He scored twice in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Villarreal and led the team in dribbles (six), chances created (six), total shots (five) and passes in the final third (46). He has accepted Kylian Mbappe's role as designated penalty taker and the pair have combined to help Real top La Liga. Contract extension talks beyond 2027 have stalled, creating uncertainty about his long-term future despite multiple domestic and Champions League titles. Xabi Alonso said he likes to see him smile while public reaction to his demeanor remains divided.

Read at www.bbc.com