Same number, same effect: Vinícius follows Cristiano Ronaldo's path at Madrid

Real Madrid is one of the leading sports entities in our country. After all, most of the best players of each generation have defended the white crest, or have come very close to doing so. Now one of the best, even though his 24/25 season hasn't been memorable, is Vinícius Jr.

The striker from São Gonçalo has reached the very top of the European football elite thanks to unbelievable performances, truly outstanding work that has allowed him to become universal. A Panamanian player, Jordan, showed this in his latest celebration after scoring a goal in a match organized by CONCACAF.

This forward from Panama's under-15 national team, during a counterattack, managed to score a goal against the United States. Instead of creating his own celebration or simply pumping his fists as many players usually do, the American striker decided to imitate Vinícius's celebration that everyone knows.

To avoid further controversy with his dances, Real Madrid's '7' decided to create another celebration of his own, just as Kylian Mbappé, Rodrygo Goes, or Jude Bellingham have their own interactions. In that celebration, Vinícius puts one hand over his eyes, covering them, while extending his other arm and shaping his hand like a gun.

He gets closer to legend

The impact of that celebration, repeated several times this season, is already global. While Vinícius hasn't scored as many goals during the past campaign as Madridists would like, a few goals have been enough to make him one of the most imitated in the world.

The spread of Vinícius's celebration isn't unfamiliar to Real Madrid. After all, many players from the white club, especially in its most recent history, have seen their goal celebration repeated in practically every soccer setting. Even in other sports, like Cristiano Ronaldo's legendary celebration: a jump and the peculiar shout that thundered at Santiago Bernabéu during his last years as a Madridist.

With that imitation of Vinícius's celebration, the verdeamarelo striker is starting to follow the same path as one of his idols. He has already taken the first steps: he uses his old number and is leaving his name etched in gold in the club's most glorious history... contributing titles in practically every season since his arrival.

The popularization of his celebration was the step he needed to become the perfect successor to Cristiano Ronaldo. Now it's up to Xabi Alonso, during the last two weeks of the current preseason, to help the Brazilian forward reconnect with his best version. As was the case with Cristiano himself, Real Madrid is much better with Vinícius than without him.