During the final in Yeda against Barcelona, an unusual moment occurred when Carlo Ancelotti made a decision that raised eyebrows. With the scoreline not in Real Madrid's favor, the Italian coach opted to substitute Vinícius Júnior in the 76th minute, a move that not only caught the attention of the match officials but also caused concern within the club and among the Brazilian star’s camp, according to AS. The substitution, made during a time when Madrid was still in need of a comeback, felt like a public signal that Vinícius was not exempt from criticism on a difficult night.

A Rare Move for Ancelotti

It is noteworthy that Vinícius’ substitution came at a point when Madrid was trailing, something that stood out given the timing. Up until that moment in the season, Vinícius had only been subbed off in eight other matches, and in all those cases, Real Madrid had been leading, except for a couple of draws. The timing of his exits typically occurred later in matches, usually after the 85th minute, and his only earlier exit this season was during a commanding 4-0 win over Osasuna, after scoring a hat-trick. The early substitution against Yeda left the impression that the Brazilian was being singled out during a tough period for the team.

Vinícius' Struggles and the Shift in Momentum

Adding to the frustration, Vinícius’ performance in recent weeks has been underwhelming. Since scoring on December 10 against Atalanta, the winger has been relatively quiet, especially in the El Clásico against Barcelona, where he seemed less influential. His performance has appeared to fluctuate in tandem with the form of Kylian Mbappé. When Mbappé struggled, Vinícius flourished, but now it seems the roles have reversed, with Mbappé shining in the Clasico while Vinícius was unable to make a significant impact. Notably, while Mbappé completed eight successful dribbles in the match, Vinícius only managed one.

Tension Builds: Vinícius and the Club

The surprise substitution, combined with his recent performance dip, has stirred up some tension between Vinícius and the club. The Brazilian, once considered untouchable, now finds himself being substituted even in critical moments, adding a layer of discomfort to his relationship with Ancelotti and the team. On the other hand, Real Madrid is still wary of the growing interest from Saudi Arabia in Vinícius, with the CEO of the Saudi Super League recently hinting at the possibility of a future move. This ongoing speculation only adds to the growing uncertainty surrounding the player’s future at Madrid.

While there is no sign of an imminent fallout between Vinícius and the club, the recent events have undeniably stirred the waters. The young star now faces the challenge of not just regaining his best form, but also navigating the complex dynamics between himself, his coach, and the ongoing external interest in his services.