Vinicius Junior is enduring a challenging spell at Real Madrid, with his performances falling short of expectations.
The Brazilian winger, once a standout performer, has struggled to reach his previous heights, and recent statistics paint a concerning picture of his decline.
In recent weeks, Vinicius has attracted attention more for his suspensions—stemming from protests and inappropriate gestures—than for his impact on the pitch.
While he found the net twice against Brest in the Champions League last week, he was candid about his struggles, stating after the match: “I wasn’t good.
His display against Espanyol last Saturday did little to change the narrative.
Though capable of moments of brilliance, his overall form has been underwhelming.
This version of Vinicius is a stark contrast to the one that dazzled during the 2023-2024 campaign.
The numbers further highlight his downturn.
Despite reaching the milestone of 100 goals for Real Madrid, his current output is a far cry from last season, when he was in contention for the Ballon d’Or.
His dribbling success has dropped significantly, averaging just 1 per game in 2025, compared to 2.8 in 2024.
Other key metrics have also declined: he now averages 2 successful crosses per match, down from 2.4; 1 chance created per game, compared to 2 last year; and 16 successful passes in the final third, a sharp decline from 21.1 in the previous campaign.
Across multiple facets of his game, Vinicius is struggling to match his former standards.
Meanwhile, his teammate Rodrygo has been in scintillating form, scoring half of his current season’s goals within the past month.
As Real Madrid prepares for decisive fixtures ahead, manager Carlo Ancelotti will be eager to see Vinicius rediscover his best form to help the team navigate their upcoming challenges.
With the season progressing, the pressure is mounting on Vinicius to turn things around.
Whether he can reclaim his past brilliance remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Real Madrid needs him at his best if they are to achieve their ambitions.
