In the thrilling second leg of the Champions League play-off against Benfica, Vinicius once again played the hero, scoring the winning goal to secure a 2-1 victory and send Real Madrid through to the next round.
| Vinicius is an undeniable talent. |
However, instead of receiving full praise, Vinicius continued to stir controversy with his provocative celebratory dance right at the corner flag, which had already been the focus of trouble in the first leg. If he continues to maintain such a "careless" attitude and disregard for opponents' feelings, Vinicius' dream of winning the Ballon d'Or will likely remain just an illusion, no matter how outstanding his talent may be.
Scoring goals but causing division among people.
Vinicius's goal against Benfica was the epitome of his style: speed, technique, and the coolness of a killer. But what followed was a repetition of a tired and frustrating scenario.
Vinicius ran to the corner flag, performing his familiar Samba dance with a provocative expression directed towards the stands and the opposing players. It's important to remember that this wasn't an ordinary match. It took place in an extremely sensitive context following the first leg, where Benfica's young striker Gianluca Prestianni was embroiled in a legal battle for his unrestrained remarks in response to Vinicius's provocation.
Vinicius's celebratory gesture was like poking at a wound that hadn't yet healed for Benfica. After Prestianni's suspension, Benfica players and many other rivals in Europe may be hesitant to speak out or react strongly for fear of incurring penalties from UEFA.
However, that silence was an expression of "verbal submission" but "inner resentment." In the eyes of many colleagues and professionals, Vinicius is gradually becoming a villain, someone who always plays the victim of racism but constantly fuels the flames of hatred with his arrogant attitude.
When a talented player lacks respect for his opponents, he isolates himself. This animosity isn't limited to Benfica players; it will spread throughout the professional football world. They may not say it out loud, but the respect they have for Vinicius diminishes each time he gloats over the pain of defeat.
And in a football environment that values fair play like Europe, losing the support of the football community is a dangerous setback for anyone aspiring to become the world's number one.
| Vinicius needs to restrain his emotional outbursts out of respect for others. |
The ghost of the 2024 Ballon d'Or and the lesson of "gentlemanship"
Vinicius probably hasn't forgotten or gotten over the bitter defeat at the 2024 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony. That season, he was the king of numbers and titles: scoring in crucial Champions League matches, leading Real Madrid to a devastating La Liga title.
The Madrid press and Vinicius himself believed the award was already in their grasp. But in the end, the winner was Rodri, a quiet defensive midfielder for Man City.
Why did we get such shocking results? The answer doesn't lie in the legs, but in the head.
The Ballon d'Or is decided by votes from journalists and football experts from around the world. These votes are largely subjective. When comparing a humble and exemplary Rodri with a talented Vinicius who is often accused of diving, frequently complaining to referees, and provoking opponents, the judges chose "character" alongside "talent."
The failure in 2024 is the clearest evidence that Europe still prefers "gentlemanly" players. The voting experts did not choose Vinicius because his attitude on the pitch did not conform to that of a "gentleman."
To win the Ballon d'Or, Vinicius needs to understand that he must "win hearts and minds." Football is a sport of emotions, and the winner of any award must be the one who conquers the hearts of the majority.
If Vinicius doesn't learn to control his ego, to moderate his celebrations which are seen as provocative in order to earn respect from opponents and neutral spectators, then the 2024 scenario will repeat itself. Vinicius needs to remember that as long as he continues to dance in hatred, the Ballon d'Or will remain elusive, leaving him to feel the pain of defeat.