Vinícius Júnior Shines in Real Madrid’s Dominant Champions League Victory Over Monaco

MADRID — Vinícius Júnior made a remarkable impact during Real Madrid’s 6-1 triumph over Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday, recording three assists and scoring a goal that silenced his early critics in the stands.

Despite facing boos from segments of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium crowd each time he touched the ball at the start of the match, the negative sentiment faded as the game progressed. By the time Vinícius netted his first Champions League goal of the season in the 63rd minute, the atmosphere had shifted, with the crowd’s support firmly behind him.

Following his goal, Vinícius celebrated with his teammates rather than the fans, immediately embracing new manager Álvaro Arbeloa. After the match, he reflected on the challenging period he has experienced recently in Madrid. “The last few days have been very difficult for me, for all my teammates, but especially for me due to the whistles and everything that has been said about me,” Vinícius expressed. “I aim to be in the spotlight for my on-pitch performances, not for off-field issues.”

He continued, “It was a very special moment. I had provided several assists in the match, and my teammates encouraged me to score. Having their confidence means a lot; we are a family, and together, we will strive to achieve great success this season.”

The early jeers directed at Vinícius were notably less intense than those during Madrid’s recent 2-0 victory over Levante, where fans booed him at the announcement of his name in the starting lineup. However, by the end of the match, Vinícius had earned the title of man of the match, showcasing his importance to the team.

This season, Vinícius has struggled, with some fans blaming him for the recent departure of coach Xabi Alonso. Reports indicated that he was among the key players who did not support Alonso during his tumultuous eight-month tenure.

“When the Bernabéu supports him, he’s unstoppable; he’s the most dangerous player around,” Arbeloa commented after the match. “If we aspire to compete for titles, we need him. The hug he gave me was also for all the Madrid fans who have stood by him during tough times.”

Vinícius also assisted goals from Kylian Mbappé and Franco Mastantuono, and he was instrumental in a second-half own goal by Monaco’s Thilo Kehrer. Mbappé opened the scoring in the fifth minute and celebrated with Vinícius after both of his goals, reinforcing a united front against the criticism directed at the Brazilian forward.

In a moment of support, many fans applauded Vinícius’ attempts during the match, including a near miss in the seventh minute. Although some jeered after a misplay before halftime, a larger number responded with applause, illustrating the shifting sentiments among the fans.

Unlike the previous match, there were no immediate boos for club president Florentino Pérez. After scoring, Mbappé appeared to apologize to Monaco fans, reflecting his history with the club. He now holds the record for the most Champions League goals for Madrid in the first 20 appearances, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jude Bellingham, who also faced jeers from fans recently, scored Madrid’s sixth goal in the 80th minute. Arbeloa noted, “Today, I saw the Bernabéu supporting Vini, Kylian, Jude — everyone. Their effort was commendable. Bellingham’s work rate was exceptional, and it brings me great joy. Commitment is what we need as a team.”

Arbeloa emphasized the importance of fan support for Vinícius, stating, “He requires affection from the fans; it’s essential for his emotional well-being. The support from the Bernabéu is fair, and we witnessed that today.”

Entering the match against Levante, Madrid was striving to overcome a two-game losing streak, which included a defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and an unexpected elimination by Albacete in the Copa del Rey. However, by the end of the match, the victory positioned Madrid in second place in the Champions League standings, strengthening their chances of avoiding a playoff round.

“This match illustrates that when the Bernabéu stands with the team, Madrid excels. We become a formidable team on great nights,” Arbeloa remarked.

In remembrance of the victims of a tragic train crash in southern Spain that claimed over 40 lives, a moment of silence was observed before the match.