Vinicius was once again the center of attention for Real Madrid after the controversial match against Roma, where the Brazilian striker failed to impress and was replaced in the 71st minute by Endrick. The final result, 3‑4 in favor of Serie A, left the Spanish team with a defeat that was aggravated by the four-game suspension in LaLiga imposed by the referee, a measure that the player himself and coach José Mourinho criticized before the match.
The context of the day was not favorable for the forward. During the 71 minutes in which he was on the field, Vinicius barely made a dribble and generated a single dangerous action. His worst moment was the loss of the ball in the center of the field, which triggered the play that gave Roma the 2‑1. When the Spanish team scored again and the score approached 3‑1, Mourinho decided that it was no longer the time to continue trusting the Brazilian and retired him, making way for Endrick. The substitution marked a turn in the game, as Real Madrid went from being dominated to regaining control and finally coming back in the game.
Vinicius himself acknowledged his poor form during the day. "I always want to play every minute, but I know my moment, I know how I'm playing. I'm here to help and sometimes you have to go out so other players can play and change the dynamic," he commented after the match. "I know that I am not in my best version, I have had worse moments, many have doubted me. I have always shown my face and the good streak is going to return, I have no doubt, and I am here to help the team," he added, stressing that the sanction will prevent him from participating in the league for more than a month.
Mourinho's decision to replace Vinicius before the end of the match sparked criticism from the club's supporters, many of whom are advocating for an early substitution of the forward on future occasions. Despite the pressure, the player remains convinced that his performance will improve and that he will continue to contribute to the team whenever possible. With the Champions League still on the line, Real Madrid will have to rely on other players while Vinicius serves his suspension in LaLiga, which poses an additional challenge for the squad in the upcoming games.