It is evident that the understanding between Mbappé and Vinícius on the field is not as expected.
They don't always contribute to the team play and sometimes detract. It is known that their personal relationship is correct, but there is no friendship. On the field, speculations have arisen.
There are many versions that claim they neither seek nor find each other. That each wages their own war and they don't think about the team, seeking personal glory.
"They Seek Each Other More Than They Should"
Jorge Valdano, always measured, has given his opinion on this issue that concerns Madrid fans. It was assumed that Ancelotti's Real Madrid would grow with the addition of Mbappé. But it hasn't been so.
Valdano has given his point of view on El Tercer Tiempo de Movistar. He is among those who think the tandem doesn't work because they worry too much about finding each other.
Valdano explained it this way: "They are two players who have a better relationship with the opposing goal than with the play, than with association. They are accused of not finding each other, but that has to do with their characteristics...
They are two great sprinters and they have the goal in their sights. Moreover, sometimes I feel that they exaggerate the search for each other when the play calls for a shot instead of a pass. In fact, it seems that to be considered innocent, they seek each other more than they should."
The former footballer and Argentine coach maintains that "there are other players, like Bellingham, who do propose associations continuously. It is with him that more situations of one-twos, of associations, have occurred. Because it is in his nature of play, it is very difficult to take a player out of his nature."
"Complicities Aren't Mandatory in the Locker Room"
Valdano also wanted to debunk an urban legend about the two players: "It is also said that Vinícius and Mbappé don't run enough. But it is impossible for these players to run with endurance efforts...
I coached Romario and had Ronaldo at Madrid, and making them run a lap around the field was Chinese torture. They couldn't, they couldn't. Moreover, if you did a possession game, they completely disengaged...
However, you put a goal in training and they were the best in the world. What needs to be done is to exploit what they were bought for," defends Jorge Valdano.
He also commented on their friendship or lack thereof off the field: "They can't be accused of not being good enough friends because they don't seek each other. I don't know what degree of complicity they have off the field, but complicities aren't mandatory in the locker room."
He concludes: "I have known very difficult player relationships, but on the field, they understood each other because there was a footballing harmony."