What is Vinícius Júnior’s goals-per-minute ratio for Real Madrid? How does his strike rate compare to Jude Bellingham’s?

The final result made it seem as if Real Madrid had completely swept Celta Vigo aside in LaLiga, although in reality the 4-0 scoreline was slightly flattering. It took Carlo Ancelotti’s team until the 80th minute to score a second goal, put into his own net by Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guiata, which finally gave Los Blancos some breathing space. Vinícius Júnior had opened the scoring midway through the first half.

How many goals has Vinícius Júnior scored this season?

The Brazilian continued his rich recent vein of form and has now scored four times in his last three matches. His strike to make it 1-0 meant he had scored Madrid’s previous four goals (two against Valencia and one against RB Leipzig in the Champions Legaue) before Guaita’s unfortunate accident. After an injury-hit start to the season, Vinícius is now back to his best.

Although the winger has been forced into two relatively lengthy spells on the sidelines, his attacking numbers remain incredibly impressive. Despite missing 11 matches due to two separate injuries, he has already scored 16 goals and provided eight assists this season, with more than two months still to play.

How does Vinícius’ goalscoring this season compared to previous years?

In the 2021-22, the first year in which he proved he could be a reliable source of goals for Madrid, he netted 22 times, averaging one goal every 194 minutes. Last season was similar, with his 23 goals coming every 207 minutes. This term, however, he has upped his production even further, with his 16 strikes averaging out at one every 138 minutes.

Vinícius’ assist numbers have dropped off (he had 20 two years ago and 21 last season), although that is symptomatic of Ancelotti moving him infield, where is now Madrid’s main goal threat alongside Jude Bellingham.

How often does Jude Bellingham score for Real Madrid?

Interestingly, the England star has an almost identical strike rate for the LaLiga giants this season, scoring once every 136 minutes. With Bellingham suspended for two games (now one) following his red card against Valencia, the pressure is on the Brazilian to step up, which he did against Celta.

If Vinícius had been able to apply his current scoring rate across the whole season, he would’ve ended the campaign with 35 goals, 12 more than his previous best. Numbers which support Ancelotti’s tactical ploy to use him in a more central position. It’s a role the attacker himself also likes: “What I want is to help the team, even by changing my game. When I’m not on the wing, I go into the middle and attack as a midfielder. That way I’m unstoppable, the rivals don’t know how to defend against me.”

Vinícius again booked for retaliation against Celta

The only blemish on his performance was another yellow card for pushing Celta defender Óscar Minguez, who had himself been booked for pulling the Brazilian back.

Only three days earlier, Vinícius had also been cautioned for an almost identical reaction against Leipzig’s Willi Orban.

The 23-year-old has been yellow carded in four of his last six games and Ancelotti hopes he will change, although the Italian appears willing to put up with it for now. “The day that stops, we will get fewer cards. But it’s a bit out of frustration, and it’s normal. I told him he’s the best. I have to give him confidence”.