Real Madrid: Why does Vinicius Junior divide fans?

There is no doubt that Real fans are frustrated.

Real Madrid was eliminated from the King’s Cup by a second-tier team, and also missed an automatic place in the round of 16 of the Champions League, and must play in the play-offs, and ranks second behind Barcelona in the Spanish League.

Beating a team ranked 17th in La Liga on Sunday looks tough, and they are already their second coach of the season.

Things are not well at Real Madrid and the fans are looking for a player to blame. Vinicius has become that player.

First, his numbers this season were down.

The goal against Rayo Vallecano was his first in La Liga since 4 October. He has contributed eight goals for Real in all competitions, making him the club’s second-highest scorer this season.

But when you compare that to Kylian Mbappe’s 37, the gap is stark, and the expectation is that Vinicius should produce more.

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balago says Real fans are directing their anger at the player they expect to help them win and also at the player they consider less close to the essence of what a Real Madrid player should be.

“Vinicius feels very strange to many fans,” says Balague.

He added: “His reactions on the field, his behavior, his public disagreements with former coach Xabi Alonso, and his lack of respect on the bench during the cup defeat to Albacete, all motivate the fans.”

He added: “Changing the photo on his Instagram profile from a Real Madrid photo to a Brazilian photo after the booing at the Bernabéu, and even mentioning those who disrespect his skin colour, is seen as creating unnecessary conflict by some fans.”

“Vinicius is provocative and arrogant, but he doesn’t get the impartial reading that others get.

“This constant doubt must be exhausting, which explains some of the fluctuations. The Bernabéu does not appreciate fluctuations. It is a dilemma.”