From friction to freedom: Stunning numbers behind Real Madrid superstar’s revival under Arbeloa
· Yahoo Sports
The story of Vinicius Jr. in 2026 is one of belief, patience and perfect timing.
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Just when Real Madrid needed a leader in attack, the Brazilian has stepped forward and taken responsibility.
Earlier in the campaign, life was not easy for him, as under Xabi Alonso, Vinicius struggled to maintain rhythm. Although he showed flashes of quality, the consistency was missing.
Six goals in 27 matches across competitions did not reflect his talent. After a bright opening run of five goals in ten games, his form dipped sharply.
A long goal drought followed, lasting 16 matches, and questions began to surface.
He still contributed in certain fixtures, scoring against Oviedo, Mallorca, Levante and Villarreal, and even finding the net in the Spanish Super Cup final, but overall his influence felt reduced.
His confidence seemed affected, and his decision-making lacked sharpness in key moments.
And then…
The shift came with the arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa has transformed Vinicius Jr. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
While the change has not just been tactical, it has been emotional. Arbeloa’s public backing and visible trust have given Vinicius freedom again.
The winger now looks direct, aggressive and fearless.
To put it in perspective, he has scored seven goals in his last ten appearances in all competitions. In fact, six of those have arrived in the past five matches.
Furthermore, his attacking output has clearly improved. Under Alonso, Vinicius averaged 2.6 shots per game. Under Arbeloa, that number has jumped to 3.8 in the last 10 matches.
He is shooting more, attacking the box more often and making better decisions in front of the goal.
On the other hand, his defensive effort has also increased. He has gone from attempting around 37 individual duels per match to 51 under the new coach.
With Kylian Mbappe currently hampered by a worrying knee issue, Vinicius has stepped into the spotlight.
He has played every possible minute since the managerial change and has become Real Madrid’s reference point in attack.