A Challenging Season for Los Blancos
Real Madrid’s current campaign has been marked by significant instability, concluding without any silverware and shadowed by internal friction within the squad. Reports indicate a persistent divide in the locker room, a situation that has reportedly simmered since the first half of the season during Xabi Alonso’s tenure. Speculation points to Vinicius Jr.’s frustration after being substituted during last year's El Clasico as a potential catalyst for the growing tensions. Despite these off-field distractions, the Brazilian forward has delivered impressive performances, particularly in the latter stages of the season.
A Historic Milestone
According to information from AS, Vinicius Jr. has etched his name into the club's history books. The 25-year-old winger has become the latest member of an exclusive circle of Real Madrid players to record at least 20 goals in five or more successive seasons. Throughout this term, the attacker has registered 22 goals and 14 assists in 53 appearances across all competitions.
By achieving this feat, Vinicius joins a prestigious list of legendary figures. Historically, this group includes:
- Manuel Fernandez Pahino
- Alfredo Di Stefano
- Ferenc Puskas
- Hugo Sanchez
- Raul Gonzalez
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Karim Benzema
The Brazilian has matched his scoring output from the 2021/22 and 2024/25 seasons. His personal best remains the 2023-24 campaign, where he tallied 24 goals and 9 assists. While a hat-trick in the final match against Athletic Club could see him break his career record, there is speculation he may be rested for that encounter.
The Impact of Alvaro Arbeloa
A major turning point for the forward was the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa in January. The tactical shift has been pivotal for the Brazilian’s output.
«Under Xabi Alonso, Vinicius managed just six goals in 27 games. Under Arbeloa, he has surged to 16 goals in 26 matches, improving his frequency from one goal every 328 minutes to one every 139 minutes.»
Since the change in management, Vinicius has become a central figure in the team's attack. With the exception of a suspension against Valencia, the forward has featured in every match under Arbeloa, starting 24 of them and completing 21, firmly establishing himself as a vital component of the coach's system.