Three Ways Vinicius Jr Can Turn Around His Real Madrid Form

It’s been a tough few months for Vinícius Jr.

The Brazilian has openly admitted that Brazil’s disappointing round of 16 exit to Norway at the World Cup was hard to take and had a knock-on effect on his confidence.

By the first international break, Vinícius Jr had scored just once for Real Madrid in the 2026–27 season—a stat which has loomed especially large given the mega-money contract extension the forward recently signed after over a year of protracted negotiations and flirtations with Arsenal.

While Madrid manager José Mourinho has defended Vinícius from the Bernabéu boo boys, he has admitted the superstar, who came second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or vote, “isn’t at his best.”

The Madrid derby defeat was a low point for both Los Blancos and Vinícius personally, with the forward putting in a limp display before being substituted after less than an hour.

A break from the Madrid fishbowl for Brazil duty has largely failed to provide the reset the 26-year-old needs, with his showing in the friendly win over India in Kolkata raising eyebrows. Vinícius completed only seven of 13 passes, attempted zero dribbles and missed one big chance against the team ranked 138th in the world by FIFA before coming off at halftime.

The star’s only goal in three matches this international break has come from the penalty spot—the fourth in a 4–2 win over Australia—and he looks far from the world-beating match-winner of recent memory.

How Can Real Madrid Get Vinícius Jr Back on Track?