Former Real Madrid attacking midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has strongly criticised Vinícius Júnior following the club’s 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash on Tuesday.
Vinicius struggled to make a meaningful impact during the encounter, as goals from Luis Díaz and Harry Kane secured victory for the Bundesliga side over Los Blancos.
Reacting to the match, Van der Vaart expressed frustration with the Brazilian winger’s behaviour on the pitch, describing his actions as disappointing despite his undeniable talent.
Speaking to AS (via GOAL), the Dutchman said it was “awful” to watch, noting that although Vinicius is a brilliant player, his tendency to go to ground easily detracts from his quality.
He added that such conduct, where the player appears to exaggerate contact in hopes of drawing sanctions against opponents, undermines the overall perception of his game.
The remarks have added to ongoing debates surrounding Vinicius’ style of play, particularly in high-stakes European fixtures.
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