‘Vinicius smiling again but his future has never been more uncertain’

Vinicius Junior is smiling again.

Five goals, four assists, and there is a feeling that football has returned to his body this season – fluid, joyful – after a mixed campaign last time round.

In Saturday’s 3-1 win against Villarreal, the Vinicius who makes Real Madrid tick danced once more.

He came away with two goals, and was also the team’s leader in dribbles (six), chances created (six), total shots (five), and passes in the final third (46).

A year after his own second-place Ballon d’Or finish, it also seems Vinicius has accepted that Kylian Mbappe’s leadership of the attack is beyond question, as the duo continue to combine in devastating fashion to help Real to the top of La Liga.

Against Villarreal, when Vini went to ground, he looked up at Mbappe. “You or me”? he asked the designated penalty taker.

The Frenchman handed him the role, a sign of affection that continued after the match on social media. “Always on your boat”, wrote Mbappe. Vinicius replied: “We sail together, brother”.

But behind the scenes, the 25-year-old Brazilian’s Real Madrid future has never been more uncertain as talks to extend his contract beyond 2027 continue to stall.

Xabi Alonso, his new coach in Madrid, said: “I like to see him smile – it’s very important”.

It was a revealing comment. Whether Vinicius smiles or not has become a national debate.

Some people hail him as a sign of hope, while others accuse him of being arrogant when he smiles. He is referred to as disrespectful when he protests.

People claim that he is unhappy with his contract if he keeps quiet. They direct him to act if he complains.

Each of the three acts acts as a character referendum: a dance, a celebration, or a complaint.

For the moment, his best start to a season since moving to Madrid, coupled with his current form, has silenced critics.

But they are always present, either behind a microphone, behind a keyboard, or in the stands, ready to retaliate for an error. Spain celebrates his accomplishments while observing his behavior, at least a portion of it.

Additionally, Vinicius’ future at Real Madrid seems less certain than ever.

After the World Cup, the player and the club were on the verge of restarting.

Even Vinicius was requesting a lower salary until 2030 in order to extend his offer. The fight was close between the two. Then everything frozen.

It was a coincidence that Xabi Alonso arrived, but it’s more about the player and his advisers staying silent until they understand what he does under Mbappe’s leadership and Rodrygo agreeing to play him on the left, a fight Vini Jr. has currently won.

Few people in Valdebebas, the club’s training facility, doubt his caliber. However, Vinicius is no longer the guaranteed starter he was under Carlo Ancelotti because of Alonso’s changes to Madrid, including his rotations and his emphasis on tactical structure. Viccius wants to know how that develops.

The club believes a decision must be reached by the summer, with the possibility of ending a player’s contract if they do not agree to a new one.

Vinicius’ hostility is real, and it includes names, dates, and court judgments.

He has received insults in Spanish stadiums. After a black mannequin carrying his shirt was hanged from a bridge, he has testified in court.

In Valencia and Mallorca, LaLiga’s efforts to stop racist abuse have resulted in the punishment of fans, largely due to the court system’s longstanding obsession with making racist language and “banter” sport’s “industrial” language and “banter” with indulgence.

The same voices reappear every time he reacts, pointing to the stands, asking referees to act, or refusing to pretend it didn’t happen. “Yes, they insult him, but he should behave better.

It appears that he didn’t originate both of his protests and provocations in the same place. Living in a situation where he must smile while being insulted, he makes his gestures, his anger, and his resistance.

In Spain, playing football requires constant scrutiny. In a cultural trial, every movement is presented as evidence. Every expression is examined with docility-explicit gaze.

Spanish football insists that its game is not racist, which is perhaps a contributing factor. The bias is whispered through commentary and toned down rather than shouted.

Being himself while being constantly weighed by someone else’s comfort is Vinicius’ way of life.

This conflict occurs on weekends in both stadiums and studios. His dance combines defiance with joy. His anger is not petulance; it is protection.

Composure and virtue are still misplaced in Spain’s moral code. It rewards the player who maintains calm, avoids conflict, and exhibits polite behavior. However, that code was created in a lost football world.

Players of today are not passive idols. They are activists, artists, brands, and citizens of other countries. A tool is visible. Visicius is aware of the significance of both his presence and defiance.

However, the majority of the public interprets it as provocation rather than acknowledging that courage. He is misunderstood because of his behavior, not because of his existence, which upsets old prejudices about how respect is defined.

The footballer’s transformation into a public narrative also resonates with him. The contemporary player doesn’t just play; he creates identity through social media, sponsorships, and personal branding.

Luxury, lights, and spectacle are the hallmarks of Lamine Yamal’s birthday celebration. His portrayal of authenticity and modern fame can be understood.

However, Vinicius is handled differently. Although he is loud, there is a purpose to his noise.

He is a sociological and sporting figure at the intersection of football, race, and contemporary celebrity.

He’s a part of a new generation of athletes who won’t let themselves fit into someone else’s comfort because he’s not just a winger.