Real Madrid forward Joselu Mato has become the latest to tell teammate Vinicius Junior to improve his behaviour on the pitch. The 33-year-old explained that it was a concern for his colleagues that he could leave them a man down at a crucial point, as was almost the case against RB Leipzig this month.
Joselu was full of praise for Vinicius as a player and a teammate, but admitted that his personality on the pitch is different, and can get him into trouble at times.
“Vini is a peculiar boy. Inside the dressing room he is very humble, smiling. He has treated me very, very well from day one. A figure that makes a dressing room.”
“On the pitch he changes a little, but I think it is because of that margin he can decide games. He is so decisive, so good, one of the best players in the world… and I think that bothers rivals and fans. It is clear that there are gestures which he can improve, but he is very young and we are all supporting him for that. There will be a time when he has to decide how to achieve that, but he is a spectacular boy. In the dressing room we have a lot of affection for him.”
This of course is nothing new, with Vinicius himself admitting as much. Carlo Ancelotti and other veterans like Antonio Rudiger have voiced similar opinions in the past. Asked what his colleagues say to him, Joselu said it was nothing special.
“Just the usual, especially when you are in a game. ‘He might give you a second card! Don’t leave us with ten!’ Ultimately, that kind of thing. I think he is such a determinant and decisive player, he knows it. He knows that he can decide a match alone and, therefore, it is essential for us [to have him],” Joselu remarked to El Desmarque, as quoted by Diario AS.
Vinicius has now entered nearly a month without football for Real Madrid, after his fifth yellow card of the season against Osasuna saw him suspended. He will miss their league tie against Athletic Club on his return from Brazil duty, and his next clash looks as if it will be a Champions League encounter with Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu on the 9th of April.
