AND THIS? FORMER FLAMENGO, VINI JR GETS INVOLVED IN BUG WITH TIAGO LEIFERT

Real Madrid striker Vinícius Júnior reacted to criticism made by journalist Tiago Leifert, who classified the player as an individualist in the Brazilian team. Leifert compared Vini Jr.'s performance in the national team with his performance in the Spanish club, stating that the athlete plays differently in both teams.

In response to criticism, Vinícius Júnior used his profile on X (formerly Twitter) this Wednesday (3) to counter Leifert's comments. "He just wants to put Brazil against me and our national team. It's less bad that few people watch him", wrote the player.

Tiago Leifert's comments were made after Brazil's 4-1 victory over Paraguay, last Friday (28), in the second round of Group D of the Copa América. On that occasion, Vinícius Júnior scored two goals. Leifert stated that Vini Jr. was playing in a more individualistic way, similar to his early career at Flamengo, and not like at Real Madrid.

"This is not the same Vini from Real Madrid, this is the Vini just left Flamengo. It's a Vini who played for him, who dribbles backwards, wants to do the trick all the time", said Leifert. He also highlighted that, if Vinícius acted in this way at Real Madrid, he would be reprimanded by president Florentino Pérez and coach Carlo Ancelotti.

ANALYSIS OF THE GAME AGAINST PARAGUAY

Leifert further criticized Vinícius Júnior's performance, saying that the player was more concerned with dribbling than providing assists. "Vini didn't play for the Brazilian national team. Vini was much more concerned with hitting a dribble than providing an assist," said the journalist.

PUBLICATION CONTEXT

Vinícius Júnior's response came the day after Brazil drew 1-1 with Colombia, in the third and final round of Group D of the Copa América. Vinícius received a yellow card in that match and will be absent against Uruguay in the quarter-finals, which will take place on Saturday (6), at 10pm (Brasília time), at the Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas.