They don't want to give the Ballon d'Or to Vinícius, but it wouldn't be a great injustice

They don't want to give the Ballon d'Or to Vinícius, but it wouldn't be a great injustice

They don't want to give the Ballon d'Or to Vinícius, but it wouldn't be a great injustice

Djalminha, a former Brazilian international and one of Deportivo La Coruña's greatest players during their golden era, has offered a nuanced take on the current form of Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, who has been a subject of both admiration and controversy in recent years.

Djalminha, now 53, reflected on Vinícius’s struggles with the Brazilian national team, where his performances have not matched the levels of success he has achieved at the club level. Speaking on the Spanish radio show “El Larguero,” Djalminha addressed several issues surrounding Vinícius’s form, his Ballon d'Or candidacy, and the ongoing racism he has faced in Spain.

Djalminha pointed out that Vinícius's performance with the Brazilian national team has been far from his usual standard at Real Madrid, contributing to Brazil’s poor run in their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. Brazil suffered their fourth loss in eight matches, this time against Paraguay (0-1), with Vinícius unable to make an impact. "The Vinícius from Real Madrid is not the same as the one from Brazil," Djalminha remarked. He elaborated by explaining the difficulties Vinícius faces when transitioning between club and international football. "But Madrid is also not Brazil. It’s complicated. In Madrid, there’s a team where everyone knows their role on the pitch, while in Brazil, the team is disorganized and lacks a clear game plan. This makes it harder for Vinícius to shine with Brazil, but that’s no excuse for his underperformance."

Djalminha’s comments underline the broader issue that has plagued the Brazilian national team in recent years a lack of tactical cohesion and a consistent plan on the field. Despite the presence of world-class players like Vinícius, the team has struggled to gel, leading to disappointing results in qualification matches. Djalminha was careful to note that Vinícius's individual form cannot be entirely blamed on the tactical shortcomings of the national team. "The truth is, Vinícius's performance has not been good, but the overall situation with the national team is disastrous," he said, adding that it’s difficult for any player to thrive under such circumstances.

When asked whether Vinícius Júnior deserved to win his first Ballon d'Or after an outstanding season with Real Madrid, Djalminha gave a thoughtful, yet candid response. "It's a complicated question," he admitted. While Vinícius played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s successful campaign, scoring 24 goals and providing nine assists in 39 games, Djalminha acknowledged the stiff competition for the prestigious award, particularly from players like Jude Bellingham and Rodri. "I believe he has a chance to win, but I don’t think they will give it to him. I don’t think they want to give it to him. If he wins, great, but if he doesn’t, I don’t believe it would be a huge injustice," Djalminha said, implying that while Vinícius’s contributions have been remarkable, other players might have had a more convincing case for the Ballon d'Or.

The conversation also touched on the more controversial aspect of Vinícius’s recent experiences in Spain his repeated exposure to racism during La Liga matches. Vinícius himself has been vocal about the issue, and in the wake of several high-profile incidents, he suggested that if Spain doesn’t address racism within its footballing culture, the country should not be allowed to host the 2030 World Cup. This statement stirred debate, with some supporting Vinícius’s stance, while others criticized the generalization of an entire nation based on the actions of a few.

Djalminha weighed in on the matter, expressing sympathy for Vinícius while also cautioning about the complexity of the issue. "We have to separate the topic of racism from other topics," he said. "I’m very disappointed with what’s happening to Vinícius because it’s not normal. More than racism, it seems like there’s hatred directed specifically at him." Djalminha’s remarks suggest that the hostility Vinícius faces may go beyond just racial discrimination, hinting at a broader disdain for the player’s success and personality.

However, Djalminha also emphasized the importance of being careful when discussing such sensitive topics on a global stage. "He doesn’t need to speak about an entire country," Djalminha advised, reminding people that racism, while abhorrent, is a global issue and not exclusive to Spain. "There are people like that everywhere, but it’s more complicated when you start generalizing. We need to be a bit more careful with what we say about these issues," he concluded, calling for a more measured approach to addressing racism while still condemning the abuse that Vinícius has endured.

Djalminha’s reflections offer a balanced view of Vinícius Júnior’s current situation recognizing his immense talent and contributions to Real Madrid while acknowledging the struggles he faces with Brazil and the troubling racial abuse he has endured in Spain. As Vinícius continues to develop as a player and public figure, these challenges will undoubtedly shape both his career and his legacy, but figures like Djalminha remind us of the complexities that come with being a global football star in today’s world.

  • Top Countries
  • Around the web
Slot made the difference in Wirtz s transfer

Slot made the difference in Wirtz's transfer

That Liverpool was able to do business with Bayer Leverkusen to bring in Florian Wirtz for a record fee is thanks to manager Arne Slot. Hans-Joachim Wirtz, father and agent of the successful footballer, confirmed that Slot made the difference in the choice between Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Flekken consulted his wife before his transfer to Leverkusen

Flekken consulted his wife before his transfer to Leverkusen

Mark Flekken is eager to work under Erik ten Hag at Bayer Leverkusen. In an interview with Kicker, the goalkeeper explained how his move from Brentford to the Bundesliga came about.

Diogo Jota joins the mural lineup alongside Van Dijk, Salah, Klopp, and Gerrard

Diogo Jota joins the mural lineup alongside Van Dijk, Salah, Klopp, and Gerrard

Diogo Jota has been immortalized around Anfield following his unfortunate accident. The Portuguese forward now has a mural dedicated to him just a few minutes’ walk from Liverpool’s stadium. Big names such as Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Jürgen Klopp, and Steven Gerrard had previously been honored with similar tributes.

Juve reaches agreement with Porto for Conceição just before the deadline

Juve reaches agreement with Porto for Conceição just before the deadline

Juventus has managed to reach an agreement with FC Porto for the transfer of Francisco Conceição just before the deadline. If the Old Lady had not triggered the release clause in the former Ajax player’s contract before midnight, the amount would have increased to 45 million euros.

Liverpool reject massive Bayern bid for Luis Díaz

Liverpool reject massive Bayern bid for Luis Díaz

According to foreign media, Liverpool’s management has firmly rejected a high offer from Bayern Munich for Luis Díaz. The bid was reportedly around 67.5 million euros, which apparently falls well short of the club’s asking price.

Liverpool pushes forward and beats Newcastle in the race for the Frankfurt striker

Liverpool pushes forward and beats Newcastle in the race for the Frankfurt striker

Liverpool is stepping up in their search for a new striker. According to French media, the English champions have reached a personal agreement with Hugo Ekitiké. Talks with Eintracht Frankfurt regarding the French forward are ongoing.

New Polish national coach does everything to bring Lewandowski back

New Polish national coach does everything to bring Lewandowski back

Jan Urban, the new head coach of Poland, wants to do everything to get Robert Lewandowski back in the national team. The Barcelona striker stepped down from international duty after a disagreement with former coach Michal Probierz, but Urban believes he can now bring him back.

Napoli keeps pushing on the transfer market: Lucca follows Lang and Beukema

Napoli keeps pushing on the transfer market: Lucca follows Lang and Beukema

Napoli is charging full speed through the summer transfer window. The next signing for the Scudetto winners will be Lorenzo Lucca, according to multiple leading media outlets in Italy.

Sought-after Nwaneri commits his future to Arsenal

Sought-after Nwaneri commits his future to Arsenal

According to various foreign sources, Ethan Nwaneri has agreed a new contract with Arsenal. The eighteen-year-old right winger thus puts an end to the numerous transfer rumours surrounding him.

Kraków will be Shakhtar Donetsk’s temporary home for European matches

Kraków will be Shakhtar Donetsk’s temporary home for European matches

Shakhtar Donetsk will play their European home matches in Kraków, Poland, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Odd:1.38