During a night when football fans around the world were eagerly anticipating Erling Haaland‘s performance, it was Vinicius Junior who exceeded expectations and stole the show.
The young Brazilian forward has been consistently demonstrating his potential to those who have been watching and listening, establishing himself as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Despite playing alongside established stars like Karim Benzema at his club and Neymar in the Selecao setup, Vinicius’ performances have often gone unnoticed or underrated.
Taking the ball from a powerful Eduardo Camavinga run on May 9, the Brazilian was widely expected to find one of his two striking partners, only for him to size up Ederson in the Manchester City goal and send a thunderbolt of a strike that wheezed past his international teammate.
Vinicius Jr trying to use a rainbow flick to get past Kyle Walker. pic.twitter.com/CNoa0WSYAy
— CB ⚽ (@ElijahKyama_) May 9, 2023
Vinicius vs Neymar
His magnificent goal sparked a debate about whether he is what many people thought Neymar was.
Neymar’s mistake, like many players in his age group, was to play in the same era as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bar his constant injury concerns, Neymar was arguably the best player after the big two. From his skillset to vision to aura and flair, he was the complete package.
Vinicius Jr is the Neymar regen pic.twitter.com/oZ1I8jJkP0
— 𝙒𝙖𝙫𝙮 (@UTDWavy) May 9, 2023
As stats show, to compare Vinicius to Neymar and even allude he is better than his senior compatriot will be a little bit of a stretch. But again, he is only 22 years.
And as Lewis Hamilton keeps reminding us, keep dreaming of the impossible.
Comparing Vinicius to Mbappe and Haaland
He might not be ready to lace Neymar’s boots yet, but it is time the 22-year-old was involved in this Kylian Mbappe vs Haaland debate that is shaping up nicely.
Well, for starters, he showed Haaland levels on his own home turf, forget the hearty smile and hug he shared with the Norwegian at the end of the game. The onus will be on Haaland to respond next week.
Vinicius Jr and Erling Haaland after the game. No controversy in Europe, only in Spain, but apparently it’s only Vinicius’ fault.
— TC (@totalcristiano) May 10, 2023
Respect between two players who will define the next decade. pic.twitter.com/ouP1sqXM5V
Mbappe might be a tad higher than both of them; given that he scores, he assists and dazzles neutrals with filthy skills.
For Haaland, we all know what he does. He has an affinity for hitting the back of the net the same way yours truly loves milk and toasted bread. 50 plus goals in your debut season in England is borderline nuts.
Vinicius’ stronghold, like Mbappe, is his pace and mazy feet. This is a player who has come of age after Benzema accused him of playing against them. He has since improved on his finishing and passing accuracy.
His only downside compared to the current top two is that he doesn’t score as often as them, but his current goal and assist ratio in the Champions League is insane. He has contributed to a goal in his last 11 starts.
We can sing Haaland and Mbappe’s praises all day long, but Vinicius is here and at only 22 years, he is nowhere near his prime. He can only get better. He is forcing us to take note.
Vinicius equals Ronaldo’s record
Sports Brief reported that Vinicius etched his name in the annals of the Champions League following his splendid goal against Manchester City at the Bernabeu.
The Brazilian, who recently won his third Player of the Month award for Madrid, unleashed a bullet of a goal to break the deadlock in the semi-final tie between two of Europe’s finest teams this season.
Vini’s goal against Man City in their first-leg semi-final clash means he levels Ronaldo’s record of either scoring or assisting in 11 consecutive games.