IT was just over two years ago that Karim Benzema’s critical remarks of Vinicius Jr went viral.
With Real Madrid trailing 1-0 to Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League group stages in October 2020, Benzema gathered his team-mates in the tunnel for a private chat.
But his damning words were picked up by cameras and quickly went around the world.
The Frenchman was seen telling Ferland Mendy: “Don’t play with him. On my mother’s life, he is playing against us.”
While no player was specifically named, the world quickly realised it was a stinging rebuke young winger Vinicius Jr, then just 20.
Opta stats later showed Benzema indeed did not make a single pass to the Brazilian in the second-half, with Los Blancos coming back to draw 2-2.
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Despite the public humiliation, Vinicius Jr has gone from strength to strength in his incredible career and refused to let that humiliation hold him back.
Tuesday night’s devastating, two-goal performance against Liverpool was just the latest outstanding showing from the 22-year-old.
Reds fans will be sick of the sight of him after he also got the winner in last season’s Champions League final, despite Jurgen Klopp’s side being the better team.
Vinicius Jr’s relationship with Benzema also appears entirely repaired with the pair part of a spell-binding Real Madrid attack that appears able to conjure up goals using willpower alone.
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Some eyebrows were raised when the Spanish giants dished out £38m to sign him in 2018 from Flamengo when he was just 16.
His reputation as the next big thing out of Brazil had led Madrid officials to take the plunge on his signature.
It proved to be a wise investment and Vinicius Jr has developed into one of world football’s most effective and skilful wingers.
His speed and ability to dazzle opponents with his footwork and intelligence has seen him clock up goals and assists with ease in LaLiga.
He has also had to show enormous mental resolve as he battles issues off the pitch.
Vinicius Jr finds himself the repeated target of racist attacks from opposition fans and even some pundits.
Things took a particular twisted turn earlier this year when Atletico Madrid fans hung an effigy of the player from a bridge.
Vinicius Jr has lashed out at LaLiga for not doing enough to tackle discrimination.
He has also been at war with trainer brand Nike over his long-term agreement with them.
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Away from those issues, the speedy winger will be looking to add to his already bulging portfolio of medals, which includes one Champions League, two LaLiga titles, two Club World Cups and one Super Cup.
With Real Madrid hunting Barcelona in La Liga and among the favourites in Europe, more silverware could follow to add to the growing legend of Vinicius Jr.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
