Vinicius sends five-word reply to critics

Vinicius Junior responded to mounting criticism with a brief message after another subdued performance for Real Madrid in their 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig at Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The Brazil forward started the third-round league-phase match but was substituted in the 70th minute, making way for team-mate Yan Diomande. The replacement made an immediate impact, scoring once and creating another goal during his 20 minutes on the pitch.

After the final whistle, Vinicius posted on his official Instagram account: “I’m living in the moment; everything moves on.”

Spanish newspaper Marca described the message as a mixture of resignation and belief, reflecting the pressure surrounding the Brazil international this season.

Vinicius has faced strong criticism from supporters since the start of the campaign as questions have been raised about his form and his position in Real Madrid’s starting line-up. Those doubts have also been heightened by his four-match suspension imposed by La Liga.

However, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho rejected the criticism and offered a strong defence of the forward after the victory.

“Vini played a great match and showed excellent tactical performance, which benefited both his manager and the team,” Mourinho said.

The Portuguese manager also emphasised that Vinicius’ contribution extended beyond scoring goals.

“He managed to build attacks from the left wing and controlled the spaces brilliantly,” Mourinho added. “He came close to scoring a wonderful goal, but the goalkeeper saved his powerful shot.”

While Vinicius did not find the net against RB Leipzig, Mourinho highlighted the wider aspects of his display as he backed the player despite the scrutiny surrounding him.

The result gave Real Madrid a 4-1 victory at Santiago Bernabeu, while Diomande’s contribution after replacing Vinicius ensured the substitute became one of the match’s decisive figures.