Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has called for unity among fans and players following the club’s heavy Champions League defeat to Arsenal, which ended their European campaign in dramatic fashion.
The Brazilian-born winger, who is of Cameroonian heritage, addressed supporters after Wednesday’s 5-1 aggregate loss in the quarterfinals.
Despite scoring in the tie, Vinicius has come under scrutiny for a string of underwhelming performances, with only six goals in 24 appearances in 2025.
His message echoed teammate Jude Bellingham’s earlier apology as Real seek to rally for the remainder of the season.
“Real Madrid will be back, as always,” Vinicius said. “Thanks for your support. We need to be together for the final weeks of the season. There are still titles we can win… always together with this team, this club until the very end. Hala Madrid!”
Madrid’s disappointing Champions League exit has intensified pressure on manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose future now hangs in the balance.
While the club remains in contention for both La Liga and the Copa del Rey—where they are set to face rivals Barcelona in the final—concerns are mounting over their form and confidence following such a bruising elimination.
Spanish pundits have singled out Vinicius for criticism despite his goal, citing his lack of impact in recent months.
The 24-year-old was previously regarded as one of the team’s top attacking threats, but his inconsistency has contributed to a broader loss of firepower within the squad.
Real Madrid began the season tipped to challenge for every major title, but their recent dip has raised questions about the direction of the team heading into the final stretch.
With only domestic trophies left to fight for, Vinicius’s call for unity may prove critical if Madrid hope to end the campaign with silverware—and stability in the dugout.
