26-Year-Old Winger's Poor Form Continues During Post-2026 World Cup International Break
Vinícius Júnior entered the post-2026 World Cup international break hoping to find the form that has made him one of Real Madrid's most important players. Instead, the Brazilian winger returned to Spain, with his struggles at club regarding his performances still a major talking point. The 26-year-old managed just one goal in eight Real Madrid appearances across all competitions before joining Brazil. His lack of goals has been matched by a noticeable decline in quality at both club and international levels, including his dribbling, chance creation, and ability to threaten defenders consistently.
The international break with Brazil allowed Viní to rebuild his confidence. He scored from the penalty spot in Brazil's 4-2 victory over Australia, ending a personal scoring drought. The accomplished winger admitted to the press afterward that he needed the confidence boost and thanked Bruno Guimarães for allowing him to take the penalty. However, the goal did not fully change perceptions of his performances. The Brazilian struggled to make a significant impact during Brazil's matches and was substituted at halftime against India in the final game of the break. Brazilian media subsequently questioned whether the national team had helped him rediscover his best form.
Carlo Ancelotti has continued to defend his player throughout the difficult period. The Brazil manager, who previously coached Vinícius at Real Madrid, acknowledged that the winger is not currently playing at his best but emphasized his importance to both Brazil and his future with the national team. That patience could also be tested at Real Madrid. José Mourinho has continued to rely on the Brazilian star despite the inconsistent performances, but competition for places is increasing. The arrival of Yan Diomande has given Mourinho another option on the left side of the attack, potentially creating more pressure on the 26-year-old Brazilian to rediscover his form.
Real Madrid cannot afford to have one of its highest-paid and most important attacking players remain ineffective for long. The Los Blancos left-wing threat has already shown he can be decisive at the highest level, particularly in recent years during Real Madrid's Champions League success. Still, his current performances are far below that standard. The international break gave the Real Madrid forward a chance to reset after a difficult start to the 2026-27 season. While his penalty against Australia was a positive moment, his overall performances suggest that the Brazilian still has work to do. With Real Madrid returning to La Liga against Villarreal on October 10th, Madrid’s beloved Brazilian attacker will have an immediate opportunity to prove that his difficult start is only a temporary setback. If his struggles continue, Mourinho may have to seriously consider whether a change in the starting lineup is necessary.
