“He didn’t always listen”

They shared locker rooms, trophies, and moments of euphoria — but also difficult times. Now, after 18 seasons at the club, Lucas Vázquez has opened up about what it was like to live alongside Vinícius Jr. amid the constant pressure surrounding the Brazilian star.

In an interview with COPE, the Galician footballer recalled how the Real Madrid forward sometimes struggled to block out the outside noise, even when senior teammates tried to guide him.

“It was tough on away match days because you saw your teammate suffering,” Vázquez explained. “We wanted him to stay focused, to not let outside things affect him, but he didn’t always listen.”

His words reveal a more human side of Vinícius — one marked by media pressure and the emotional weight of a season filled with tension both on and off the pitch.

The weight of the noise

Since his arrival in Madrid in 2018, Vinícius Jr. has had to deal with constant criticism — from his playing style to his behavior off the field.

Still, Vázquez admitted that the Brazilian’s determination and ambition never wavered. “We just wanted to see him enjoy football, not become the center of attention for things outside it,” he added.

Lucas’s perspective confirms what many suspected: behind the global icon lies a young player who had to learn to grow under relentless scrutiny.

From the storm to resurgence

After an inconsistent season, Vinícius seems to have rediscovered his best form. With five goals and four assists in his first eight LaLiga matches, he’s built strong chemistry with Kylian Mbappé, helping Real Madrid sit comfortably atop the table.

Still, the off-field noise hasn’t disappeared. Recently, the Brazilian made headlines after publicly apologizing to influencer Virginia Fonseca — another reminder of how often he finds himself under the microscope.

Even so, his role under Xabi Alonso remains vital. Vinícius continues to be essential to Madrid’s project, though his contract renewal is still pending.

As Vázquez summed it up with quiet admiration: “Vinícius has matured. He learned in his own way — but he learned.”