Vinícius Júnior has a serious problem with his national team. With Real Madrid, he's achieved everything on an individual and collective level. With Brazil, nothing.
Raphinha's rise and Neymar's return after his injury complicate his future with the Canarinha.
He missed a penalty against Venezuela, after Raphinha scored two against Peru. The coach has already announced that if a penalty is awarded this morning against Uruguay, Raphinha will be the one to do it.
Has Dorival taken away Vinícius's prominence and given it to Raphinha? Everything indicates that he has. Raphinha is number 10, the leader of Brazil, who relegates Vinícius and Savinho to play on the wings.
Brazil Does More Harm than Good to Vinícius
The Barcelona player is also the leader of this team, the player with the most influence on the field and the extension of the coach on the field.
If Vinícius is now playing for Brazil away from the star role, when Neymar returns, it will be even more difficult for him to shine.
The truth is that Brazil does more harm than good to Vinícius. He has played 36 games, with 5 goals and 5 assists. Only 1 goal in the World Cup and 2 in Copa América.
It was precisely his performance with the national team that deprived him of the Ballon d'Or, an award more than deserved for his playing with Real Madrid.
But Raphinha has scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists in 20 official matches this season. He has scored three goals in his last two games with Brazil.
Neymar's Figures: Out of This World
And now Neymar is back, with 79 goals and 57 assists in 128 games. That is, he is directly involved in a goal in every game he plays.
He has also scored 12 goals in 13 games at the World Cup and 9 goals in 12 games at Copa América.
UOL Sporte reflected the problem in the following way: "Vinícius becomes a problem when he dresses up as Neymar. He wants and needs to show that he plays as well or even better for the national team than he does for Madrid. After missing the penalty, he became so furious that, in the last few minutes, he was seen arguing with everyone: his opponent, the referee..."
"He was angry, which shows a lack of emotional control. We can count on one hand the good games he's played for the Brazilian national team. That is the enigma," sums up UOL Sporte.
He will Not Take Penalties at Real Madrid Either
The decision by the Brazilian coach to prevent him from taking penalties was the final blow. At Real Madrid, Ancelotti also seems to have decided that Mbappé should take them.
The duel of egos with Mbappé, however, seems to have been won by Vinícius. Anyway, he will have more problems with the current Raphinha and the return of Neymar to his country's national team.