Brazil is hoping for its first title at the World Cup since 2002. The focus is on Vini Jr. The winger is not only brilliant, but also just as controversial and the unwanted origin of a new rule.
After Vinicius Junior in February Champions LeagueReal Madrid’s game against Benfica Lisbon was apparently racially insulted by Gianluca Prestianni, a lot of things that shouldn’t be mixed were mixed up. Instead of saying clearly that racism is forbidden in any case, it was also said that the Brazilian was someone who provoked such incidents. In fact, it is noticeable that Vini Jr. is often insulted, but that should never be a justification.
Controversy over a world footballer election
Far from this false discussion, the Real Madrid winger is an extremely controversial player. There will probably be no one who would deny him his footballing class – if he didn’t have that, he would hardly have been named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2024. But those AwardAwards this year also showed that the drama for Vini Jr. is often very close.
In 2024, Vinicius Junior did not win the Ballon d’Or, but was named FIFA World Player of the Year.
Thanks largely to him, Madrid won the Spanish championship and the Champions League, but in the first world footballers’ poll of the year, the Ballon d’or, Rodri was still from Manchester City awarded. He didn’t have that much success at club level, but he became European champion with Spain. Vini Jr. took this as an affront. Instead of being a fair well-wisher, he stayed away from the honor even though he was one of the nominees. And his club followed him, Real boycotted the event entirely because of the Rodri election.
Ancelotti steers Vinicius Junior in the right direction
There is currently no player who combines sporting spectacle and theater in such a way. An example of this was the Spanish Super Cup in January 2024, when Vini Jr. scored three goals and provoked the FC Barcelona bench with a “4-1” gesture. “He played a great game. But I didn’t like the gesture at the end. He has to understand that he is a role model and cannot be distracted by such provocations.”said Carlo Ancelotti, then Real coach, afterwards.
During his time in Madrid, Ancelotti repeatedly emphasized that Vinicius Junior needed to better control his emotions. It is fitting that the two no longer work together in the Spanish capital, but instead with the Brazilian national team. And Vini Jr. is the linchpin for Ancelotti.
Vini Jr. is now Brazil’s Lead player
“We have a squad with which we can play successful football, supported by a team spirit. The expectations of players like Vini Jr. are of course huge, but the pressure has to be distributed across the entire team.”the 66-year-old emphasized recently, but also emphasized: “Vinicius has achieved incredible maturity. He is ready to lead this team on the biggest stage.”
The Brazilian superstar himself recently spoke about this role in a FIFA interview. “I’ve been playing for the Selecao since I was 19. I used to be a prodigy, now I’m at the forefront, leading the team and trying to bring Brazil back to the top of world football.”said Vini Jr. there. “It’s a huge responsibility that I really appreciate.”
Red card for actions like Prestianni
With such a responsibility, it is important to move forward in a sporting and human way. He cannot influence whether the 25-year-old is provoked or insulted, but he can influence whether he provokes himself. Because Vini Jr. didn’t always just react to a disaster, but rather caused a spark in the first step. This was also the case during the racism scandal against Lisbon, when he cheered provocatively in front of the Benfica fans after a dream goal.
Actions like those of Gianluca Prestianni can be punished with a red card at the World Cup.
Again, this does not justify racism. And in order to increase the inhibition threshold, at least for opposing players, FIFA has also reacted and introduced a rule that has a lot to do with this scene. So “Can a player who covers his mouth in a confrontation with an opponent be penalized with a red card”says the world association. This introduction to the tournament also came about because Vini Jr. is the most controversial superstar of the World Cup.