How Vinícius Jr. Has Changed Since Losing the Ballon D’or
The tweet went viral within minutes. “Eu farei 10x se for preciso. Eles não estão preparados.” It was October 24, 2024, and Vinícius Júnior had just watched Rodri Hernández lift the Ballon d’Or, a prize the Brazilian felt was his after an outstanding season with Real Madrid: champion of LaLiga and the Champions League, a goal in the final, and elite numbers (24 goals and 9 assists).
Vinícius Jr.’s post
But 500 days later, that promise to multiply his level has gradually faded. According to data revealed by Cadena COPE, Vinícius’ performance has dropped significantly, with numbers that have been cut nearly in half in several key areas.
The decline is especially noticeable in front of goal. The Real Madrid winger has gone from scoring one goal every two games to one every four. He has also lost some presence in one-on-one situations, attempting 25% fewer dribbles, although his success rate remains close to 50%. His crossing output has fallen by around 20%, while his assists have held steady at one every three matches.
The most concerning figure lies in his direct impact on the team. Before that Ballon d’Or gala, Vinícius’ goals had been worth around 20 points to Real Madrid. Since then, that total has dropped sharply to just eight points.
A decline that has not gone unnoticed and invites reflection. If Vinícius Júnior wants to reestablish himself among the top contenders for the Ballon d’Or, he will need to rediscover his best form and raise his performance again, to ensure that the night of October 24, 2024 is not the closest he ever comes to football’s most prestigious individual award.
