Vinicius Jr promises goals ahead of Madrid derby
The goals are missing, but the noise around Vinicius Junior is only getting louder.
Days before Real Madrid walk into the cauldron of the Metropolitano for the capital derby, the Brazilian has sent a blunt message to Atletico Madrid – the drought will not last.
His warning did not come in a press conference or a carefully staged interview. It arrived on his Instagram Story, raw and direct, in the hours after a frustrating night against Elche.
“My goals will return soon, I cannot keep wasting all these chances! On Sunday more is coming, Hala Madrid,” he wrote.
A promise, not a plea.
Frustration against Elche
Vinicius played his part in Real Madrid’s wild 3-2 win over Elche in the sixth round of the Spanish league, a match that swung one way then the other before being settled deep into stoppage time.
He was everywhere but on the scoresheet.
The winger repeatedly sliced through Elche’s defence, found pockets of space, and carved out opportunities, only to see chance after chance slip away. On another night, he walks off with a brace. This time, he left with nothing – no goal, no assist, just a lingering sense of irritation.
Luck deserted him in front of goal, and his evening ended early. Jose Mourinho replaced him in the 68th minute, searching for a sharper edge in the final third as Real Madrid chased the win.
The breakthrough finally came in the 90+1 minute, when Carlos Espi struck the decisive goal to snatch all three points. Relief for Madrid. Restlessness for Vinicius.
A message before the derby
For many players, a night like that would invite doubt. Vinicius chose defiance.
His post on social media was not coded or cautious. It was a clear statement to his critics, to his coach, and, most of all, to Atletico: he expects the goals to return, and he expects it to happen soon.
Real Madrid now turn their attention to one of the defining fixtures of their season. Los Blancos travel across the city next Sunday evening to face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano in the seventh round of the league, a stadium where margins are thin and mistakes are punished.
Vinicius heads into that clash without the comfort of a recent goal, but with the conviction that his influence is growing. Against Elche, he drove the attack, stretched the back line, and created danger even as the finishing touch deserted him.
He left the pitch annoyed. He has circled the derby as the response.
For a player who thrives on emotion and big stages, there are few better platforms than a Madrid derby to rediscover his scoring touch. And with his message laid out in public, there is no hiding place now.
“On Sunday more is coming,” he wrote.
At the Metropolitano, everyone will be watching to see if he delivers.
