In the midst of the trend to pin the Real Madrid leader tag on Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior gave a timely reminder of his importance in the hammering of Red Bull Salzburg.
The Brazil forward scored twice to surpass 100 goals for the club, could have had a hat-trick, and was named man of the match but it was a display that alternated between brilliance and clumsiness.
He acknowledged, when speaking to Spanish broadcaster ‘Movistar TV’, it was a far from perfect individual display in the 5-1 victory.
“Surprised by this award? I had the feeling that I couldn’t play a good game from the first half,” he said, MVP trophy in hand. “Rodry (Rodrygo Goes, who scored twice to make it 2-0) and Jude (Bellingham) deserved it, but I’m happy for the win and the goals even if I played badly.”
Vinicius also alluded to his biggest blemish, which has been a theme of the season. “A (yellow) card there that leaves me out of the next game…”, he said.
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It happened in the 42nd minute with Madrid 2-0 up. He dribbled past Mads Bidstrup, the latter touched him but the 24-year-old in his fall. While the supporters were calling for a penalty, referee Glenn Nyberg showed the yellow card and he will miss the game away to Brest next Wednesday. In France, his team will try to squeeze out the few chances they have left to qualify for the top eight and automatic qualification. From 16th, that will be some ask.
Vinicius has ten yellow cards, the most in the squad, and a straight red card in 26 games this season. From 22 December until the end of January he will have missed four out of ten games (Sevilla, Las Palmas, Valladolid and Brest) through suspension.
But the thrashing of Salzburg was also another demonstration of Vinicius’ ability to overcome.
Mbappe’s name had been the last to ring out over the Santiago Bernabeu’s loudspeakers, a place the club had usually reserved for Vinicius in recent times.
It is not something that seems to bother Vinicius, who after the final whistle said that Mbappe “has come to help and Rodrygo and I are going to help him to be the Pichichi (the top goalscorer in Spain) in all competitions”.
With the match underway, Vinicius did not start well. And yet the 1-0 lead came from a great pass from him to Bellingham, which the English midfielder failed to control, was seized upon by Rodrygo, who has been in fine form since December, to score.
The more subdued version of Vinicious, that has been seen in 2025, came to the fore in the 27th minute when his attempted finished from Rodrygo’s pass flew over the crossbar.
At half-time he went off talking to the referee, still thinking about the yellow card. And he returned from the dressing room to an unpleasant surprise, whistles from the fans after losing possession.
Five minutes later, in the 55th minute, he made amends. Carlo Ancelotti had shown him the way from the touchline and, taking advantage of a quality delivery from Luka Modric, he did the rest. In five touches he beat three opponents and fired powerfully into the net.
After pointing with gratitude to his captain, Modric who still has magic left in him at the age of 39, the celebration was special. Vinicius formed a 100 with his hands, just as one of his idols, Cristiano Ronaldo, had done when he reached 100 goals for Manchester United.
He also made the gesture he is patenting after goals, simulating a shot with a gun with one hand while covering his eyes with the other. He would later reveal that it is because of a request from friends related to a video game.
Vinicius after his second goal (Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
As he was went over to hug Ancelotti, the stadium chanted his name. Everything seemed to return to normal…
But the crowd was having fun and wanted more, so they chanted “We want a hand (five goals)!” And Vinicius obeyed.
He was in charge of finishing off a long, flowing move that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had begun. Vinicius showed his evolution in his understanding with Fede Valverde, attacking the space between the centre-backs.
The Uruguay international found Vinicius, using two masterful touches, controlling the ball with his right and finishing with his left to make it 5-0. He could have scored once again in the final minutes, when Arda Guler found with him and he produced another superb run but his shot was off target.
In 291 appearances for Real Madrid since 2018, Vinicius has now scored 101 goals, including 58 in La Liga and 28 in the Champions League, a competition in which he has overtaken former Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid super striker Luis Suarez. He has won 14 titles.
“They are incredible numbers,” said Vinicius to TNT Sport to then look at the record 104 of compatriot Ronaldo, who sponsored him at his presentation and is still the Brazilian with the most goals in Real Madrid history. “To be able to surpass one of my idols and a phenomenon who helped me a lot because he has given me a lot of indications…’
Vinicius then posed on the Bernabeu pitch with Florentino Pérez and a shirt with the number 100 and his name on it. “I hope I can continue like this and make my mark on this team, it’s my dream,” he stated.
With Saudi Arabia clubs and the riches they possess still interested in him, it’s largely up to him.
(Top photo: Vinicius marks his 100th goal for the club. Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
