A simple change on Vinicius Junior's Instagram page was enough to send Real Madrid fans into a panic.
It's well known that Vinícius Júnior's on-field mistakes often become the target of ridicule off the pitch—especially on social media, where the Brazilian star finds little sympathy.
This is particularly true this season, where his performances have dipped significantly compared to last year when he was even considered a Ballon d'Or contender.
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What Vinicius did
Vinícius Júnior, one of the team's key forwards, removed several iconic posts related to the club, including pinned photos celebrating "Los Blancos" triumphs in the 14th and 15th Champions League titles.
He also edited his account description, already concise, to appear even more neutral, as reported by Sportal.
While this move sparked speculation about Vinícius Júnior's potential departure, sources close to the player suggest it was a reaction to the flood of negative comments he received after a lacklustre performance against Al Hilal (1-1) in the opening match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
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This dynamic was on full display during the match against Pachuca. Not only did he fail to score or provide an assist, but Vinícius Júnior also attempted a flashy "lambretta" trick, which went horribly wrong.
He couldn't lift the ball over the defender's head as intended. To make matters worse, he then clumsily collided with his opponent.
Social media quickly filled with clips of the failed trick, sparking widespread mockery. Many users pointed out the irony that not long ago, Vinícius Júnior was considered a potential contender for football's most prestigious individual award.