jin88bet.oneFormer Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti says he feels “sorry” for Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior, claiming the Brazil international has lost the confidence that once made him one of football’s most dangerous players.
Umtiti mak168app.babyade the comments while analysing Real Madrid’s match against AEK Athens, in remarks reported by Spanish radio station Cadena SER. He said Vinicius’ disappointing start to the season had continued a decline that ak168app.clubhad lasted for weeks, months and, in some respects, several seasons.
“I feel sorry for him. It makes me sad,” Umtiti said. “Vinicius has not been at his best for weeks, months or even seasons. It is clear that he lacks the confidence he used to have on the left wing.”
The former France international, who faced Vinicius in four Clasicos during his time at Barcelona, said the forward had previously posed an obvious threat whenever ic88he received the ball.
“Before, when he got the ball, you knew heic88 would be dangerous. Now, he no longer has that,” Umtiti added.
He also criticised Vinicius’ effectiveness in key moments, saying the 2024 Ballon d’Or disappointment appeaic88red to have marked a turning point in the player’s career.
“Even with his final touch, he is struggling to be the decisive player he once was,” said Umtiti. “He loses the ball a lot and no longer scares opponents.”
Umtiti warned that Real Madrid ic88face a difficult decision over how best to use the Brazilian, particularly as other talented players are competing for places but have not been given the same opportunities.
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“What do we lr88do with Vinicius?” he asked.
“When you put him on the left, it means you put Diomande on the right, where we know Diomande does not perform well and struggles.”
Umtiti said Real Madrid must either establish genuine competition for positions, with the best-perflr88orming players selected, or lr88continue to follow a hierarchy that currently keeps Vinicius on the left.
“In the end, the results are what matter and Real Madrid are winning,” he said. “But Vinicius is no longer at that level, either in La Liga or in the Champions League. I feel very sorry for Vinicius.”
He op88returned to the impact of the 2024 Ballon d’Or outcome when summingsi88 up the forward’s decline.
“Over the past three seasons, since he did not win the Ballon d’Or, his level has been affected,” Umtiti said. “We are finding it difficult to recover the lively, skilful Vinicius who used to dribble on the left wing.”
The listed fixtures include Valencia 88vv Real Madrid in La Liga on 07 November 2026 and AEK Athens v Levadiakos in the Greek Super League on 08 November 2026.
