Opinion – PVC: Vinicius Junior is the protagonist that Zidane did not believe

The UEFA broadcast took the image immediately to Zinédine Zidane, in the stands of the Stade de France, right after Real Madrid’s winning goal, scored by Vinicius Junior. The French star, scorer of two goals in the World Cup final in his country’s sacred stadium, never bet on Vinicius. Ancelotti, yes.

The Italian coach is not an attacking maniac, but he was also never a rebounder, a common accusation among Italian coaches. He arrived, observed, talked and climbed Vinicius Junior.

The result was a player capable of scoring 22 goals this season, just short of Benzema’s 44. Real Madrid’s top scorer, Champions League assist leader, scorer of the title goal of the 14th Santiago Bernabéu conquest.

Vinicius is part of the great rebuilding of Real Madrid, the champion of renaissance. It was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain, in the round of 16, at 31 of the second half. Turned around and survived. It was eliminated by Chelsea, at 30 of the second half.

It was reborn with a goal from Rodrygo and a pass from Vinicius for Benzema to score. Against Manchester City, another resurrection, two goals from Rodrygo. The team was eliminated in stoppage time.

The first final in history in which the most ranked nationality was Brazilian, five were born in Brazil, against three French, two Spaniards and two English, the 22nd Champions League decision of the century, a period in which there were Brazilians in all decisions – no other country had this – it had a young star born in São Gonçalo (RJ) as the protagonist.

It could have been Benzema if French referee Clement Turpin had validated Benzema’s goal. The most Brazilian final in the history of the Champions League was also the one with a delay of 37 minutes due to invasion of the stadium by fans without tickets and in which VAR took a long time to invalidate a goal due to interpretation – the retreat was by Fabinho and it was a goal.

Let’s remember: it was in Paris.

Liverpool played better than Real Madrid. Finished 21 times, nine in Courtois’ goal, one of the highlights of the game along with Valverde and Vinicius Junior. He disarmed in the attacking field seven times, 41% of the ball recoveries, as required by Jürgen Klopp’s repertoire. With 54 seconds, the first recovery of the ball in the attack, with one minute and 22 seconds, the second.

Real Madrid has submitted it once. One! Vinicius Junior’s goal.

It’s not about any pact with any strange entity, but an incredible ability to remake a team with supporting players. In 2018, against Liverpool, Real Madrid became the first team in history to win the Champions League twice in a row with the same formation: Navas, Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos and Modric; Isco, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Then, Cristiano left for Juventus and the Merengues spent four seasons to remake the champion team. From Benzema. Amazing how Cristiano’s supporting actor became the great protagonist. Vinicius helped the Frenchman this season, waiting for the moment to be the main actor.

Unlike Zidane, caught on Uefa cameras after the goal, Carlo Ancelotti was confident. In the decision, Vinicius became a hero. The protagonist of Real Madrid’s 14th trophy.

Every time it is said that Brazil has the highest number of players in a Champions League phase, or that it became, on Saturday (28), the first non-European country to have more players than a nation on the Old Continent, someone records: “We have no more protagonists”.

Vinicius Junior was the protagonist of the Champions League decision for Real Madrid.