Vinícius Júnior faces scrutiny after Real Madrid's narrow win over Elche

Real Madrid secured a narrow 3-2 victory against Elche in LaLiga, but the match highlighted growing concerns regarding Vinícius Júnior’s form. Despite the win, the Brazilian forward struggled with finishing, missing several clear opportunities before being substituted in the 68th minute. Vinícius expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “The goals will return. I cannot miss so many.”

The player’s recent performance has sparked debate regarding his standing within the squad. Reports suggest he is losing ground to Kylian Mbappé, who has maintained high scoring consistency. Additionally, the emergence of Yan Diomandé has created internal competition for a starting position.

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has publicly defended Vinícius, praising his work rate and defensive engagement while noting that his best version will return once his scoring resumes. Mourinho has indicated he intends to maintain confidence in the winger ahead of the upcoming derby against Atlético Madrid, despite pressure from some fans for changes in the lineup.