Whoever said Vinicius Jr couldn’t finish? Two clinically taken goals during Real Madrid’s narrow, nerve-shredding 2-1 win at Elche at the weekend took the winger’s tally to nine goals in just 14 games under Carlo Ancelotti.
That means this is already the most prolific campaign of Vinicius’ Los Blancos career; a much-needed ruthless streak finally arriving to complement the searing pace and silky skills that have shone through since the Madridista magician became the most expensive 16-year-old footballer in history.
Compatriot and teammate Rodrygo Goes has enjoyed a revival of his own since the departure of Zinedine Zidane, relegating Eden Hazard to the role of frustrated, £88 million bench-warmer.
But it’s easy to forget a third Brazilian whizz-kid joined Real Madrid during Florentino Perez’s South American recruitment drive. And, initially at least, Reinier Jesus was viewed by some as the most talented of the lot, the 530-carat diamond adorning Real’s sparkling crown.
What’s gone wrong for one-time Liverpool target Reinier Jesus?
A double-winner with Flamengo aged just 17, Reinier scored six goals in 15 first-team appearances before joining Real for a cool £25 million in January 2020. The balletic, almost effortless elegance with which he carried himself justifying comparisons with 2006 Ballon D’Or winner Kaka (Guardian).
According to Reinier’s father, Real Madrid were far from the only club to express an interest either.
“Did Barcelona call us? Yes, there was always contact (with Barca), although nothing as strong as Real. Real made the commitment,” Mauro explained, before reeling off a who’s who of continental giants who also tried to land Reinier’s much-sought signature.
“Juventus, Liverpool, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax…”
But while Vinicius and Rodrygo continue to go from strength to strength at Real Madrid, Reinier is starting to feel like a forgotten man at the Bernabeu.
It’s not just in the Spanish capital where he’s struggling to make his presence felt either. Reinier was supposed to emulate Achraf Hakimi when joining Borussia Dortmund on a two-year loan deal in August 2020.
15 months on, however, and his tally of Bundesliga starts stands at a measly one.
In fact, he’s only played 290 minutes of league football as a Dortmund player, with 45 of those coming this season spread across four substitute appearances.
‘What’s happening at Dortmund is a shame’
“It is very strange what is happening in Dortmund. It’s a shame!” his father fumed in conversation with Spox last week.
“It seems Dortmund do not understand.
“He can help the team with his style of play, which would have been urgently needed in some matches. He is a master of controlling a game like few people can, but it seems Dortmund didn’t get it. They don’t know how to use him.”
Reinier’s ongoing struggles may come as a surprise, given Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho and Gio Reyna hardly found life difficult at Signal Iduna Park.
In November 2020 Dortmund director of football Michael Zorc suggested a lack of physicality was holding Reinier back – but that was 12 months ago. You’d think he would have adapted by now.
Of course, Vinicius and Rodrygo endured their fair share of problems after moving across the Atlantic too. It hasn’t all been plain sailing.
After all, not that long ago Vinicius appeared to be in danger of being bombed out of Real Madrid, accused of falling short of lofty expectations. Now he seems to be their best hope of a La Liga title.
There’s still time, then, for Reinier to turn things around but, be warned, Real Madrid wait for no man.
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