Ex-Real Madrid Chief Issues Stark Warning About Mbappe and Vinicius Junior Partnership
Ex-Real Madrid sporting director Predrag Mijatović has shared his thoughts on the dip in performance from Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior following Kylian Mbappé's arrival at the club.
During the previous summer transfer window, Real Madrid finally secured their long-pursued target Mbappé, acquiring one of football's elite talents to the Spanish capital without a transfer fee from Paris Saint-Germain. The French striker's addition was expected to deliver additional trophies for the Spanish powerhouse, who had just claimed both La Liga and Champions League titles.
Mbappé excelled personally in his inaugural campaign wearing the famous white jersey, netting 44 goals in all tournaments and establishing new benchmarks for Real Madrid. His outstanding performances earned him both the Pichichi Trophy and the European Golden Boot.
However, Los Blancos endured a disappointing season that concluded without securing any significant silverware, which ultimately led to Carlo Ancelotti's dismissal. The team's other key attacking players, particularly Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, faced criticism for their underwhelming offensive output when measured against Mbappé's statistics and their own previous seasonal displays.
Mijatović, a former Real Madrid player who later served three years as the club's sporting director, cautioned against the harsh criticism directed at Real Madrid's talented attacking trio.
"When Vinícius, Mbappé or Rodrygo lack happiness and don't sense the club's backing, their performance suffers. I'm uncertain whether the supporters still adore Vinícius as intensely as they did two or three years back, or if he maintains the same level of respect for them," Mijatović told the media.
Certainly, some supporters have become disappointed with Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo's reduced offensive contributions.
Vinícius Júnior managed only one goal across six matches during this summer's FIFA Club World Cup, while Rodrygo is currently experiencing a 25-match scoring drought.
Vinícius Júnior's displays were particularly disappointing compared to his Ballon d'Or-caliber performances during the 2023–24 campaign. The winger frequently failed to find the net while playing alongside Mbappé, who required several months to adjust to his new central striker position for Los Blancos.
"I consistently maintain that gathering exceptional players with substantial market worth is invariably detrimental,"
Mijatović added. "You possess a valuable asset, yet you fail to maximize its potential. Over time, the player becomes dissatisfied, and uncertainty arises about whether you can transfer him the next season."
Rodrygo, previously considered an essential component of Real Madrid's long-term plans, now finds himself subject to transfer rumors since Mbappé joined the squad. The 24-year-old has been connected with Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester City following his reduced playing time at Real Madrid.
Vinícius Júnior has similarly attracted attention from Saudi Pro League clubs during his current contract negotiations with the La Liga second-place finishers. Both Real Madrid and countless Madridistas hope the Brazilian will regain his exceptional scoring ability so that Xabi Alonso's revamped Real Madrid can return to trophy-winning success.