BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Always at the center of things, Vinícius Júnior has gone from hero to villain for many Real Madrid fans.
The Brazilian soccer star has scored crucial goals to secure Champions League titles, gone close to winning the Ballon d’Or, and led a fight against racism in Spanish soccer — and all that by age 25.
And yet now, many Madrid supporters have turned their backs on him.
The crowd at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium jeered him loudly during Madrid’s last two homes games.
His name was booed when it was announced before kickoff and when he touched the ball during a 2-0 win over Levante last weekend.
And the boos were back at the start of the team’s midweek game against Monaco in the Champions League.
His strong performance against Monaco, which included a goal and three assists, seemed to somewhat placate the crowd, with the jeering dissipating in the second half.
But with speculation ongoing that Saudi Arabia’s cash-filled league still wants Vinícius, the next few months could be make or break for the player, who is under contract through 2027.
When asked Friday if he expected Vinícius and the club to agree to a new contract extension soon, coach Álvaro Arbeloa said it was not for him to get involved.
“My job is to get the best out of my players, and for Vinícius to keep making history with this club,” said the former Madrid defender, who took over the team earlier this month.