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.
