A player wearing a Real Madrid jersey smiles on the field, while in the lower left corner a card appears naming him as the most valuable player, and at the top there is a box with the face of an older man speaking.
Mbappé and Juanma Rodríguez | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
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Juanma Rodríguez 'takes out' Mbappé from the MVP: watch his choice

The journalist highlighted Vinicius's match, who scored a goal and provided an assist in 30 minutes of the match

by

Alex Moreno

Juanma Rodríguez surprised everyone with his analysis after Real Madrid's victory at Carlos Tartiere. The journalist made it clear on his X account who, in his opinion, was the true MVP of the match: Vinicius Jr.

"Vini in 28 minutes: one assist and one goal. He changed the match," he wrote. This message puts the Brazilian ahead even of Mbappé, who scored twice and was officially chosen as the best player of the game.

Kylian Mbappé smiles on the field wearing Real Madrid’s training kit while a card highlights him as the most valuable player of the match in LaLiga.
Mbappé MVP | DAZN

Vinicius, substitute but decisive

Xabi Alonso decided to leave Vinicius on the bench at the start. The coach wanted to reward Rodrygo, who hadn't played on his natural wing for some time. Alongside Militao, the cameras caught "Vini" yawning in the opening moments.

Madrid was winning, but it wasn't able to close out the match. Mastantuono and Rodrygo started energetically, although they soon faded. Then came the Brazilian's moment.

With half an hour left, Vinicius replied to the challenge with undeniable numbers. He provided an assist to Mbappé and scored the decisive goal. These two actions confirmed that, even coming off the bench, he is capable of deciding matches.

Four players compete for the ball during a match in a stadium full of spectators.
Vinicius during the shot of his goal | Real Madrid

Vini's "show" at the Tartiere

Beyond his footballing interventions, Vinicius once again left controversial scenes. He was booked for simulation inside the box, something that triggered his anger. He confronted the referee and had to be calmed down by Mbappé, who even covered his mouth while laughing.

His relationship with the stands wasn't calm either. After the yellow card, he heard chants of "fool, fool" from the stands. His response was to gesture to the home fans to "go to Segunda" with his fingers.

After the goal, he repeated the usual scene: finger to his ear and a defiant message to the rival fans. Once again, the Brazilian divided opinions. For some, he is a footballer who gets motivated by hostility. For others, he is a player who pays too much attention to what happens off the field.

In any case, Vinicius changed the match and Juanma Rodríguez highlighted it. While the club and the media rewarded Mbappé for his two goals, the journalist leaned toward the Brazilian. "He came on eager, shook up the match, and decided it," he insisted.

The debate is on: was Mbappé really the MVP or did Vinicius deserve it? In just 28 minutes, the Brazilian once again proved that he always leaves his mark, for better or worse.

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