Vinicius is increasingly overshadowed by Mbappe

Against a small club like Kairat Almaty, Real Madrid continued their straightforward win, with Mbappe consistently standing out. Yet, on the left flank, Vinicius delivered an astonishingly weak performance, with his contribution even worse than…Courtois.

Real Madrid continues to demonstrate their dominant strength in the Champions League as they comfortably crushed Kairat Almaty 5-0 away from home. The most spotlighted star remained Kylian Mbappé, who is increasingly proving his worth. The French striker took just over an hour to complete his hat-trick, playing a key role in this emphatic win. The other two goals were scored by Camavinga and Brahim Diaz, completing a perfect night for the Royal team.

However, while Mbappé was in top form, attention shifted to Vinícius Jr, who was surprisingly given the captain's armband by coach Xabi Alonso right from the start. This should have been an opportunity for the Brazilian forward to assert his leadership and remind everyone he remains a vital attacking threat for Real. Instead, Vinícius ended up being a disappointment.

In 70 minutes on the pitch, Vinicius only managed 2 shots, with just one on target. Even more regrettably, he missed 2 clear chances this season. With such a lackluster display, he was rated only 6.6 on FotMob. Despite being an attacking star, Vinicius failed to register a goal or assist, unlike Courtois, a goalkeeper, who managed to contribute after a long pass set up Mbappe for a goal.

The turning point came when Rodrygo was brought on for Vinicius in the second half. Just minutes after entering, Rodrygo helped make Real’s attack more fluid and dynamic. His combinations with Mbappé and Güler brought renewed energy to Real Madrid’s play. Remarkably, Rodrygo quickly recorded an assist, something Vinicius couldn’t achieve in 70 minutes on the field.

Vinícius’s poor form became even more evident when compared to Mbappé. While his teammate dazzled with three goals and numerous bursts that dismantled Kairat’s defense, Vinícius struggled to shake off his markers. He lost possession clumsily multiple times, slowing down the attack.

In this context, Koke’s earlier sarcastic remark suddenly feels haunting: “Mbappé has taken all your chances, you crybaby.” Though provocative, this statement now somewhat reflects reality. Since Mbappé’s arrival, Vinícius’s influence in Real’s lineup has diminished.

The question arises: Can Vinícius still hold his starting position? Given his current form, the risk of being benched is very real. Coach Xabi Alonso is known for being pragmatic and does not hesitate to give chances to those who deliver immediate results. Mbappé is irreplaceable, Rodrygo is proving his versatility more and more, and Güler brings fresh enthusiasm. Amid this bright scenario, Vinícius has become a questionable element.

Real Madrid has been advancing far thanks to stars who seize big moments. The victory over Kairat Almaty is the clearest example: Mbappé capitalized with a hat-trick, Rodrygo shone after coming on, and Güler continued to progress. Conversely, Vinícius wasted two golden chances and lost favor with supporters. If he doesn’t quickly regain form, Real’s “new number 7” might face the unbelievable scenario of sitting on the bench even in major Champions League.

At Real Madrid, patience always has its limits. And during the recent match against Almaty, Vinícius shortened that tolerance even further.

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