Absent due to injury during the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid, Vinícius Jr remains a central topic of discussion in Spain. Javier Clemente, the former coach of La Roja and a notable figure in Spanish football, openly criticized the Real Madrid number 7’s behavior, while also acknowledging his exceptional talent on the pitch.
For the past three seasons, Vinícius Jr has solidified his place as one of the best players in world football. With dazzling performances for Real Madrid, such as his recent hat-trick against Osasuna, the former Flamengo prodigy has proven to be an unstoppable force. His speed, incisive dribbling, and clinical finishing make him a constant threat to opposing defenses.
However, the Brazilian international has also faced significant criticism for his behavior, both on and off the pitch. After losing out to Rodri for the 2024 Ballon d’Or—a result he reportedly took poorly—Vinícius Jr vowed to work even harder to reclaim his spot at the top.
Javier Clemente’s Criticism
Speaking to Radio Marca, Javier Clemente did not hold back in his assessment of Vinícius Jr. While he acknowledged that the winger is undoubtedly one of the best players in the game today, he argued that his attitude on the pitch damages both his image and his career.
“I’d like him to stop getting angry on the pitch. If he gets kicked, he should take it and move on. In football, there are bad tackles or refereeing mistakes, but if you can’t handle them, it’s not good,” Clemente stated.
The Basque coach also criticized Vinícius Jr’s stance on racism in Spain, an issue the player has raised multiple times following incidents in stadiums.
“I think if this boy reflected on things, he would be loved by everyone. This isn’t a color issue. We are not a racist country, that’s very clear. What happened is that he approached the issue in a way that suited him, and I don’t think it’s good for him,” Clemente added.
A Behavior to Rethink?
Clemente continued by condemning the conflicts Vinícius Jr engages in on the field:
“He’s a great player, but the problem is he argues with opponents, with referees, with the crowd, and even with his sister. That’s not the way to be—it’s very bad.”
Ces critiques, bien qu’acérées, reflètent les débats autour de Vinícius Jr en Espagne, où son talent est indéniable, mais son comportement divise. En son absence, le Real Madrid devra trouver d’autres solutions pou
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