Ancelotti’s faith in Vinicius Junior tested by early-season slump
Carlo Ancelotti has publicly backed Vinicius Junior even though the Brazilian winger’s early‑season displays for Real Madrid have been below expectations. After almost a year of negotiations, the club sealed a new contract for the forward this summer, removing most of the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Merengue side.
Renewal eliminates doubt
The renewal was intended to restore stability and give Vinicius the platform to rediscover his best form. Club officials hoped the fresh deal would translate into on‑field confidence, but the first few weeks of the new campaign have offered little encouragement.
Struggles on the pitch
Vinicius has managed only one goal in eight appearances so far, a stark contrast to his usual output. His performance in the derby against Atletico Madrid was particularly underwhelming, prompting José Mourinho to substitute him with a substantial portion of the match remaining.
Following that outing, the forward travelled to Brazil for the September international break, where fans expected a change of environment to aid his revival. Those hopes were unfulfilled as he continued to falter in Brazil’s games against Australia.
Breakthrough against Australia
Today, Vinicius ended a six‑match goal drought by converting a penalty in Brazil’s 4‑2 victory over Australia. The strike provided a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult spell.
After the match, Diario AS quoted Carlo Ancelotti acknowledging the winger’s dip in form while stressing his importance: “I know him very well and he is a fundamental player for Brazil and for me. He is also a fundamental player for Brazil’s history and future. He is not at his best at the moment, but even so, he can make the difference, as he did today. He didn’t open the scoring, and I’m going to be very patient with him.”
Vinicius later thanked his teammates, highlighting Bruno Guimarães’s role in taking penalties when Raphinha was unavailable: “He knows I need a bit of confidence. I hadn’t scored in a few matches. It is important to score again.”
Looking ahead
Both Ancelotti and Mourinho have reputations for managing high‑profile talents, and their continued guidance may prove crucial in helping the Real Madrid star regain his spark. The upcoming fixtures will test whether the renewed contract and managerial support can translate into sustained improvement.