After an inconsistent start to the season, Vinicius Jr will be under major pressure when club football resumes after the international break. Although he found the net for Brazil, the Real Madrid winger now needs to rediscover his decisive influence in the white shirt.
Since the beginning of the campaign, Vinicius Jr has struggled to reproduce the level that once made him one of the most dangerous forwards in world football. His performances and overall output have fallen below expectations, and the Brazilian himself is reportedly aware that he needs to improve.
The spark that defined his game two years ago appears to have faded significantly since he finished second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings. At his best, Vinicius was capable of changing matches almost single-handedly with his pace, dribbling and ability to create danger from nothing. In recent months, however, that explosiveness has been far less visible.
His difficulties have also followed him onto the international stage. During Brazil’s first match against Australia, Vinicius failed to complete a single dribble in 65 minutes. In the second game, despite scoring, he completed only one of his four dribble attempts in 82 minutes.
His statistics at Real Madrid are equally revealing. With 652 minutes played, Vinicius currently has the fourth-highest amount of playing time in the squad this season. Yet across eight appearances, he has scored just once and provided three assists.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, this represents Vinicius’ worst start to a season since joining Real Madrid in 2018. His first campaign is difficult to compare directly because he had barely featured during the opening weeks, but his current status makes the present numbers far more significant.
Vinicius is no longer a young player adapting to European football. He is one of Real Madrid’s biggest stars and therefore carries much greater expectations. The winger is reportedly fully aware of his situation, including growing speculation that he could eventually lose his place in the starting XI if his performances do not improve.
Despite those concerns, the support from José Mourinho and Real Madrid remains strong. The Portuguese coach continues to trust the Brazilian and believes he can rediscover the form that previously made him such an important figure for the club.
🚨 Jose Mourinho is clear about his desire to keep supporting Vinícius Junior and keep him on the lineups.
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) October 2, 2026
Jose has blind and unconditional faith in him. The idea now is to find the right tools that help Viní regain the best version of himself.
— @diarioas pic.twitter.com/WRq47iuny2
His teammates are also said to remain convinced that Vinicius will eventually return to his best level. Inside the dressing room, there appears to be little doubt about his talent or his ability to influence the biggest matches.
The international break may therefore have arrived at the right time. Scoring for Brazil could provide Vinicius with a much-needed confidence boost, but the real test will come when he returns to Madrid.
With important matches approaching, Real Madrid need more than flashes from their Brazilian winger. They need the aggressive, unpredictable and decisive Vinicius who once terrified defenders across Europe. The coming weeks could prove crucial in determining whether he can finally reignite that spark.
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