Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has criticised Vinicius Junior for his disappointing performance in Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
The encounter at Anfield was decided by Alexis Mac Allister’s 61st-minute goal, which handed the Spanish giants their first defeat in this season’s competition. It was also the first time Real Madrid failed to score in any match this term, struggling to create clear chances despite boasting attacking stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom failed to register a single shot on target.
Speaking during an interview after the match, Henry expressed frustration over Vinicius Jr’s decision-making, saying the Brazilian winger failed to make the most of the opportunities presented to him early in the game.
“I do not understand it. You have to play with what’s in front of you, you have to play the moment,” Henry said.
“And even if there’s nobody in the box, as you said, at least the opposing team has dropped 30 yards back and then you can give the ball to your midfielder, who might have a strike from outside the box.
“But I don’t know, sometimes people try to be cute when there’s no need to be cute, if there is space, just give the ball, recycling the ball… sometimes it’s too scripted.
“You have an opportunity at the beginning, for example, Vinicius Jr had Conor Bradley for the first five to seven minutes, and then he let him breathe. Why do you let him breathe? Have a go until he gets a yellow card and then he can’t defend in the same way, but that didn’t happen.
“When we watched the game, Vinicius Jr received the ball in a one-on-one after a good battle in the first five minutes against Conor Bradley, and he passed it back to his left-back to receive it back… and now it was a one-vs-three.
“Then he attacked alone against the three of them, and I thought, wait, do the math. You had a one-on-one, try to see what you can do with that.
“Why do you move the ball back so it comes back to you and you can play a one-vs-three? I just don’t get it at times.”
Henry’s analysis adds to the growing scrutiny surrounding Vinicius Jr’s form in key European matches, with many fans questioning the winger’s tactical discipline and ability to adapt against strong Premier League opposition.
Despite the defeat, Real Madrid remain strong contenders to progress in the Champions League, but pundits have called for greater creativity and decisiveness from their star attackers in the coming fixtures.
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