Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or aspirant is no longer a commanding influence at the club

It goes without saying that Vinicius Jr. remains a prominent figure in the Real Madrid dressing room, but his influence within the team has notably diminished this season.

While he was once the undeniable leader of the attack, especially during last season alongside Jude Bellingham, the emergence of Kylian Mbappe as a prolific scorer has reshaped the dynamics of Real Madrid’s forward line.

Mbappe’s incredible scoring record, with 33 goals so far, has firmly established him as the main attacking force. Meanwhile, Vinicius has managed only 19 goals this season, which is five fewer than his overall tally from the previous campaign.

Although he has improved in providing assists—currently standing at 10, one more than last season—his impact has not been as commanding.

The pride has a new leader
Unlike last year, when Vinicius was regarded as a strong contender for the Ballon d’Or despite not winning it, his performances this season seem to lack the same cutting-edge quality.

The Brazilian forward’s tendency to get involved in unnecessary conflicts, such as his recent altercation during a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, has served as a distraction from his primary task of delivering consistent results.