Vinícius Jr.’s Champions League slump puts pressure on Real Madrid star vs. Benfica

Vinícius Jr. has scored just once in this season’s UEFA Champions League. One goal in eight games. Ten career goals in the competition overall, averaging one every 265 minutes. This year, though, the drop-off has been stark: one goal in 631 minutes.

With Kylian Mbappé not fully fit and Real Madrid entering the knockout rounds, the spotlight shifts squarely onto the Brazilian. If there was ever a moment for him to respond, this is it.

Vini’s sharp decline on Europe’s biggest stage

For a player of Vinícius’ stature, the numbers are surprising.

His lone goal in the league phase came in a 5-0 rout of Monaco, the fifth of the night in a game that was already decided. He has contributed five assists, though they were concentrated in just two matches. In front of goal, however, something has been off. The explosiveness is there. The confidence, at times, is not.

He started seven of Madrid’s eight matches, sitting only in the opener against Marseille, one of several bold early decisions by manager Xabi Alonso that stirred debate. Since then, Vinícius has played 96 percent of the available minutes, 604 of the final 630.

And in all that time, just one goal.

The contrast with last season is dramatic. During the league phase a year ago, he scored seven times. This year, both individually and collectively, it has been a campaign to forget.

But now comes the part that defines legacies: the knockout stage.

Searching for a reversal

Ironically, last season followed the opposite script.

Vinícius was electric in the early rounds, then faded in the elimination ties. Across matchups against Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Arsenal, he scored only once, and that came in the second leg against Arsenal when Madrid’s comeback hopes were already slipping away.

The mission now is clear. Flip the narrative. Turn a disappointing league phase into a dominant knockout run. It is the only way to rebalance a season that has tilted in the wrong direction.

The numbers behind the slump

This has not been Vinícius’ smoothest season overall, though there are signs of life. He has scored twice in his last three matches.

In LaLiga, he has eight goals, averaging one every 221 minutes. Add six assists, and he is involved in a goal every 126 minutes. Not spectacular by his standards, but solid.

In the Champions League, though, the numbers crater. One goal in 631 minutes. That is the hard math.

His five assists soften the blow, giving him a goal contribution every 105 minutes in Europe. But for a player wired to attack and score, assists are not enough.

Vinícius’ season summary

A closer look at the data

Vinícius, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler are the only Real Madrid players to appear in all eight Champions League matches this season.

Yet Vinícius leads the team in shots off target with 10. He has taken 26 total shots, with just seven on target. Nine were blocked. The opportunities are coming. The finishing has not.

He ranks fifth in the entire competition in chances created, with 17. The pressure is constant. The threat undeniable. But the finishing touch has been missing.

For a player who thrives on big stages, that stings.

Rodrygo, Bellingham absent, Mbappé not 100%

Now the margin for error disappears.

The knockout rounds bring a different intensity. One bad night can end a season. And Real Madrid enters the knockout phase playoff against Benfica short-handed. Rodrygo is suspended for both legs. Jude Bellingham is injured. Mbappé has been managing a lingering left knee issue and is not at full strength.

That leaves Vinícius as the focal point.

These are the nights that have historically brought out his best. The brightest lights. The biggest opponents. The moments when reputations are made.

He has one goal in this Champions League campaign. For a player of his caliber, that feels like a splinter under the skin. Now comes his chance to pull it out.

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