Three days after being booed by Real Madrid fans in a home duel in the Spanish Championship, Brazilian striker Vinicius Júnior returned to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and led the Madrid team’s 6-1 rout of Monaco this Tuesday (20), in the penultimate round of the first phase of the Champions League.
On an inspired afternoon, the number 7 made disconcerting dribbles, led counterattacks, scored a great goal and assisted Mbappé’s second goal – the Frenchman opened the scoring four minutes into the opening half – and then Mastantuono’s goal in the second half. After the gala performance, Vini Jr was elected the best player of the match. Real’s other goals came from Bellingham and Kehner (own goal). Midfielder Teze scored for Monaco.
Even though he was criticized for Real’s results in recent games, Vini received full support from coach Arbeloa and number 10 Mbappé. The coach was clear when he stated “if I want to have a chance of winning, I need Vinicus”, during a press conference on the eve of the game against Monaco. On the same day, number 10 Mbappé defended the Brazilian, disagreeing with the fans’ boos. “You shouldn’t criticize just one player. It’s not Vini’s fault that we’re playing the way we are now.”
🤜 🤍 🤛 pic.twitter.com/pR9QnyevOZ
— Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) January 20, 2026
Satisfied with his performance on the field this Tuesday (20), Vini Jr. revealed how he felt after hearing the boos from Real fans, last Saturday (17), in a game against Levante, in LaLiga.
“[Essa atuação] It means a lot, given everything I had been going through in the last few days. Changing coaches, losing the final [da Supercopa da Espanha]falling out of the Copa del Rey. Playing for the biggest club in the world the demands are very high. Sometimes we don’t understand [as vaias]but we know the size of the team, the players we have here. They gave me a lot of strength in the last few games. I am also human. I get upset by what people say, but every two, three days, we have the opportunity to prove ourselves”, said the number 7, in an interview with broadcaster TNT Sports.
That Vini performance! 🥵#UCL | #POTM pic.twitter.com/XwmUflkSvh
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 20, 2026
The 23-year-old striker, born in São Gonçalo, metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, today became the greatest assistant in Real Madrid’s history in the Champions League, with 30 passes that resulted in goals. The total surpassed the 27 recorded by both Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“The only thing I can do is on the field, go out and do my best. I won’t always be at my best technically. But I will always donate to the team. The press says what they want, the fans understand that they have to criticize me. Last year wasn’t easy for me, I wasn’t able to play the way I want. But I want to stay here [no Real Madrid] for a long time”, concludes the number 7.
