Vinícius fails to live up to star status, praise for 'unique' Bellingham

Vinícius struggled again in Madrid's Champions League win over AEK Athens, failing to beat his marker, while Bellingham impressed off the bench with a goal and assist.

Real Madrid defeated AEK Athens in the Champions League, but the performance of Vinícius Júnior continued to concern Spanish media. The Brazilian winger, returning to the starting lineup after a La Liga suspension, failed to get past his defender and did not convince in the match. His struggles extended a poor run across recent Champions League fixtures against RB Leipzig and AS Roma.

Manager José Mourinho defended his player after the game, calling it an acceptable performance, though not extraordinary. Club legend Jorge Valdano noted that Mourinho had little choice but to protect him, while captain Federico Valverde urged patience. However, former goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares observed that Mourinho must defend Vinícius at every press conference, suggesting the Brazilian's status as a star player is not being justified on the pitch.

In contrast, Jude Bellingham earned praise as the standout performer. The English midfielder scored with a heel and provided an assist for Kylian Mbappé's equalizer from the bench. Mourinho lavished praise on Bellingham, calling him unique and extraordinary, highlighting his work rate and quality.