Vinicius Jr. has received public support from legendary Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema in the wake of his struggle for consistency, growing criticism from fans, and increased competition for his place in the starting XI.
Benzema shared a photograph of the two players together on Instagram, prompting Vinicius to repost the message on his own account.
The gesture comes at a difficult moment for the 26-year-old, whose performances have attracted considerable scrutiny.
Although Jose Mourinho and the club hierarchy continue to back him, his recent absence has coincided with an impressive run of results, while Yan Diomande has emerged as a serious competitor for his preferred position on the left wing.
Benzema reminds Vinicius of the support he still has at Real Madrid
Benzema’s message is quite significant for the Brazilian given the relationship the two forwards developed during their time together at Real Madrid.
Benzema has sent a message of support to Vinicius. (Source: Instagram)
The Frenchman and Brazilian formed an effective attacking partnership, with Benzema often helping Vinicius develop his game during his early years in the first team.
His Instagram message, which read, “N1 always”, appears to be an expression of confidence in his former teammate at a time when the Brazilian is facing considerable criticism.
Vinicius acknowledged the gesture by sharing Benzema’s photograph and message on his own Instagram account.
Diomande makes the most of Vinicius’ absence
The challenge Vinicius is facing at Real Madrid is no longer limited to the fans, as his four-match LaLiga suspension has provided other players with opportunities to establish themselves.
Crucially, Real Madrid have won all three league matches played during his domestic suspension, beating Sevilla 4-1, Barcelona 2-1 and Racing Santander 3-0.
Vinicius is going through a tough run of form. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
Quite particularly, Diomande has been particularly impressive, registering four goals and three assists across his last six appearances.
Mourinho still has a decision to make over Vinicius
Despite the team’s encouraging results, Mourinho has continued to defend Vinicius publicly, as he did so after a 3-2 win over AEK Athens.
The Portuguese manager previously emphasised his respect for the Brazilian despite acknowledging that he was not performing at his highest level.
However, the forward will now have to demonstrate that he can rediscover his influence in an attacking structure that has functioned effectively without him in recent league matches.
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