When the Bernabéu Turns: Vinícius Júnior Faces a hostile reception as Real Madrid falters

Mbappé tries to salvage the moment.

What happened

Real Madrid fans turned on Vinícius Júnior during the ongoing La Liga clash with Levante in round 20. The whistles and jeers followed him every time he touched the ball.

Reaction and mood

A visibly affected Vinícius looked close to tears as cameras captured him with his hands on his face just before entering the pitch.

Mbappé and the fitness coach Antonio Pintus rushed to lend support to Vinícius as kickoff approached.

Lineups and current form

Madrid fans at the Bernabéu directed boos at Vinícius and Bellingham when the lineup was announced, while they cheered French star Mbappé.

Real Madrid now sit four points behind Barça in La Liga, having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by underdog Albacete and recently losing the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona.

Fans greeted the team bus at the Santiago Bernabéu with whistles, and the same scene repeated as players warmed up on the pitch.

Punchlines:

Punchline 1: If football had a sense of humor, Vinícius would be smiling by halftime—spoiler: the scoreboard had other plans.

Punchline 2: Madrid’s new tactic is silent boos, louder than the PA and emptier than the trophy cabinet.