Vinicius Jr.’s performances were a major talking point during the international break, even leading to an internet meme surrounding him potentially being cloned.
After the break, Vinicius Jr. grabbed headlines once again after receiving a red card against Villarreal while seeing his goal get disallowed.
The forward now faces a difficult situation, as he has been handed a lengthy four-match suspension in domestic competitions after allegedly trying to grab Nathan Saliba’s hair, for which he was sent off.
Vinicius Jr. struggling with physical problems
Vinicius is going through a difficult period. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
A recent report from ESPN (h/t Madrid Zone) has shed more light on Vinicius’ recent ordeal, revealing that the forward has actually been struggling with physical problems.
According to the report, those underlying issues are the root cause of his dip in form, a slump that has drawn criticism from all quarters for both club and country.
It was precisely to manage that situation that Jose Mourinho opted to leave the Brazilian on the bench for the visit of Villarreal.
Mourinho recently backed Vinicius to rediscover his best form, insisting it was only a matter of time and that he had chosen to protect the winger by introducing him when the game suited his qualities.
Vinicius gives his side on the red card
No respite for Vinicius. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The dismissal itself has also been the subject of fresh clarification from the player’s camp.
Vinicius has reportedly told those close to him that he never intended to grab Saliba’s hair in the first place. According to his account, there was no malice in the act whatsoever.
Instead, the forward insists his hand simply became caught in the Villarreal defender’s hair by accident as he attempted to sprint past him. It is a version of events that paints the incident as an unfortunate tangle rather than a deliberate pull.
His defence, though, has carried no significance as he has now been slapped with a four-man match and will notably miss the season’s first El Clasico on October 25.
Fortunately for Real Madrid, Yan Diomande seems to have picked up the pace at the right time, notably scoring his first goal for the club against Villarreal. It will be interesting to see if the Ivorian can fill in the shoes of Vinicius for the coming weeks.