According to a report from SPORT, a noticeable rift has emerged between Vinicius Jr. and a section of the Real Madrid fanbase, sparking concern about the forward’s morale and relationship with the supporters at the Santiago Bernabeu.
During the recent fixture against Athletic Club, many noted a never-before-seen attitude from the forward.
Despite a decent performance, Vinicius appeared distant and emotionally withdrawn. Gone were the fiery celebrations, the signature gestures to fire up the crowd, or any clear display of joy.
Even when he put the ball in the back of the net—only for VAR to later disallow the goal—Vinicius didn’t celebrate.
Furthermore, when Federico Valverde sealed the match with a late goal, Vinicius chose not to join the celebratory huddle. Instead, he calmly approached Valverde for a high-five and walked back to his position.
This lack of expression was not a one-off incident. It appears to be part of a growing discomfort that has taken hold since the controversial match against Valencia earlier this season.
That night, a section of Madrid fans at the Bernabeu shockingly whistled Vinicius—a moment that seems to have planted the seeds of discontent.
Since then, those whistles have echoed in other matches as well, including against Athletic Club, where his name was met with audible disapproval when announced over the stadium loudspeaker.
It is an unfortunate scenario for a player who, not too long ago, was considered the heart and soul of Madrid’s attacking flair.
Vinicius has often shouldered responsibility during crucial moments and has become symbolic of Real Madrid’s new era.
But the burden of expectations, combined with the team’s recent struggles and the harsh judgment from certain fans, appears to be taking a toll on him emotionally.
The tension has not been limited to Vinicius alone. Real Madrid’s form has been under scrutiny, and questions are beginning to surface regarding the output of their key attacking stars, especially when the pressure has intensified.
Vinicius, in particular, seems to be carrying the emotional scars of both on-pitch criticism and off-pitch incidents, including the well-documented racist abuse he has endured, most notably again during the clash at Mestalla.