Is Vinicius winning the “Man of the Match” award unfair to Mbappe?

International media outlets like Goal and Sports Illustrated rated Mbappe higher than Vinicius. Yet, in Spain, the “Man of the Match” accolade went to Vinicius.

At Ciudad de Valencia against Levante, both Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe shone brightly, leaving a strong mark on every goal. Still, the “Best Player of the Match” honor was awarded to Vinicius.

This decision raised questions among observers and could have made Mbappe feel unfairly treated.

Mbappe stood out more

From the opening minutes against Levante, Real Madrid applied intense pressure. After numerous chances, Vinicius scored the opener in the 28th minute with a precise finish following an assist from Federico Valverde.

Not stopping there, the Brazilian forward continued to impress by setting up the young talent Mastantuono to score the second goal at the 38th minute.

In the second half, Levante sparked hope with a goal to make it 1-2, but Mbappe quickly extinguished it all. Within three minutes (64 and 67), he scored twice, including a cool penalty and a classy solo effort past goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

Real Madrid concluded the match with a 4-1 victory, with both Vinicius and Mbappe leaving unforgettable personal marks.

Looking at the stats, Mbappe might be considered the more outstanding player, scoring a brace in the second half, earning a penalty, and directly deciding the outcome.

International media such as Goal and Sports Illustrated also rated Mbappe higher than Vinicius. Yet in Spain, the “Man of the Match” award went to Vinicius.

The reason goes beyond just performance. Vinicius is currently being “protected” by the Spanish media after he fell as low as 16th place in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting.

Is Vinicius being protected?

For many Spanish journalists, awarding Vinicius the match prize is seen as an encouragement, compensating for the disappointment he has endured.

For two consecutive years, Vinicius has been at the center of Ballon d’Or controversies. In 2024 he lost to Rodri, and in 2025 he dropped significantly in ranking, leading to claims that UEFA and France Football are biased to hold back Real Madrid – a club committed to the Super League project.

In this context, Spanish media regard Vinicius as a “victim of injustice” and strive to elevate him as a symbol.

His continuous receipt of “Man of the Match” awards, even with such outstanding performances, is viewed as the start of a long-term campaign.

The issue is that Real Madrid now has two superstars eager to prove themselves. Mbappe joined the Royal team with hopes of becoming the centerpiece, inheriting Cristiano Ronaldo’s status, while chasing the Ballon d’Or.

If Spanish media keep favoring Vinicius, rivalry in the locker room is inevitable. Mbappe, accustomed to being number one at PSG and the French national team, might feel overshadowed at Real, potentially causing dissatisfaction and risking internal conflicts.

This scenario has appeared before in Real Madrid’s history: Ronaldo – Bale, or further back, Di Stefano – Puskás. Strong egos, if not managed well, can become seeds of instability.

In this situation, President Florentino Perez and coach Xabi Alonso will need to skillfully maintain balance.

On one hand, they want to turn Vinicius into a symbol against the “injustice” from UEFA and France Football, thereby protecting Real Madrid’s image. On the other hand, they must ensure Mbappe feels recognized to keep his ambition alive for the Champions League and the Ballon d’Or.

How they manage harmony between these two stars will determine not only Real Madrid’s season fate but also the peak individual rivalry between Mbappe and Vinicius.

The 4-1 victory over Levante once again confirmed Real Madrid’s strength and the explosive partnership of Mbappe and Vinicius. Yet behind the glory, a major question remains: can Real maintain harmony between these two ambition-driven players, or will the “silent internal battles” that once haunted the Bernabeu locker room repeat?

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