Real Valladolid II · Segunda División RFEF - Play-offs · Attacker · #0 · Spain · 19 yrs
Vicente del Bosque provided an advice from his experience managing Spain to Luis de la Fuente. The World Cup is a very particular competition, and the most talented team does not always win it. Still, Spain proved the rule in 2010 under Vicente del Bosque, who offered Luis de la Fuente some advice in a conversation between the two managers arranged by the Spanish Federation. Del Bosque had a managerial style in which he gave players room to say what they thought, which sometimes drew outside criticism over a supposed lack of leadership, as he said: âMake it seem like theyâre the ones in charge, but have things done the way you want.â That champion team included major names in the history of the sport such as Xavi HernĂĄndez, AndrĂ©s Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Gerard PiquĂ©, and Iker Casillas, among others. While de la Fuente does not have players with that much experience, he is managing a young, talented team that showed all its personality when it won the Euros. Del Bosqueâs hardest decision For the former manager, there are not many people more accustomed to the spotlight than him, considering that almost his entire playing career was spent at Real Madrid. But that was not the only time he was at the club. RaĂșl is a Real Madrid legend (David Ramos/Getty Images) In his conversation with Spainâs current manager, Del Bosque admitted what the hardest decisions of his career were because they involved players like RaĂșl GonzĂĄlez, with whom he won everything at club level while at Real Madrid. Del Bosque said: âThere are three things that will stay with me for the rest of my life. One was not taking RaĂșl to the national team because he was a kid we had brought from AtlĂ©tico Madrid when he was very young and we had a special affection for him. The second was not taking Marcos Senna to the World Cup after we had become European champions with him in 2008. And the third was Iker Casillas, when in that tournament we decided to play someone else.â Del Bosque on Spainâs favoritism There are a few teams that always seem to be considered favorites. While that has not happened to Spain many times in history, they look like a team to beat. As de la Fuente waits until Monday to provide the squad list, the former manager is measured in his approach. Del Bosque said: âWe have to be cautious, despite being favorites.â
Vinicius Junior reached a milestone achieved by only Cristiano Ronaldo and a handful of other legends in Real Madrid history. Against Athletic Club this weekend, the Brazilian winger could also set another personal record. Despite Real Madridâs turbulent 2025-26 season, Vinicius Junior delivered several standout performances and made key contributions across all competitions. That allowed him to match a feat previously achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo, and this weekend he could reach another milestone against Athletic Club. This season, Vini recorded 20 or more goals for the fifth consecutive year, something only seven other players in Real Madrid history had accomplished, according to Diario AS. Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously one of them, having done it in all nine seasons he spent at the club between 2009 and 2018. Not only that, but he scored fewer than 40 goals just once â in his debut season. The player with the record for the most consecutive seasons with at least 20 goals for Real Madrid is Alfredo Di Stefano. The Argentine legend achieved the feat in 10 straight seasons between 1953 and 1963. Only in his final year at the club did he fall short of the mark, scoring 17 goals during the 1963-64 campaign. The other players to accomplish the same feat were Manuel Fernandez Pahino (1948-1953), Ferenc Puskas (1958-1964), Hugo Sanchez (1985-1990), Raul Gonzalez (1998-2004) and Karim Benzema, who is the only player to score 20 or more goals in at least five consecutive seasons on more than one occasion: first between 2010 and 2016, and later between 2018 and 2023. Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring a goal for Real Madrid. Vinicius can improve his best scoring season at Real Madrid This season, Vinicius has recorded 22 goals and 14 assists in 53 matches across La Liga, Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup and the UEFA Champions League. That leaves him just two goals shy of his career-best mark of 24, set during the 2023-24 season. Real Madrid have only one game left this season. On Saturday, they will close out their La Liga campaign by hosting Athletic Bilbao at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. A brace would allow the Brazilian winger to match his best scoring season, while a hat trick would give him a new personal record. However, his current situation could work against that goal. According to Marca, Vini has missed training sessions this week after receiving permission from Real Madrid to rest before joining the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That puts his availability for Saturdayâs clash against Athletic in doubt and, therefore, also his chances of setting a new personal scoring record.
Despite Real Madrid not being in their best season, VinĂcius Jr. has managed to remain one of the teamâs most consistent players. In fact, the Brazilian star has joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in an exclusive scoring list for Los Blancos. Since Kylian MbappĂ©âs arrival, VinĂcius Jr. has noticeably dropped his level at Real Madrid, drawing significant criticism from fans. Although he has not managed to match his performances from previous seasons, he remains one of the teamâs most productive players, contributing both creatively and in terms of goals. In fact, the Brazilian star has joined Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in an exclusive scoring list for Los Blancos. According to MisterChip, via X, VinĂcius Jr. has joined the list of Real Madrid players who have scored 20+ goals in all competitions in 5+ consecutive seasons. With this, the Brazilian star joins Pahiño, Alfredo Di StĂ©fano, Ferenc PuskĂĄs, Hugo SĂĄnchez, RaĂșl GonzĂĄlez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema. After achieving this, he has already become a historic figure for the club, even leading two UEFA Champions League titles as a key player. VinĂcius Jr. has scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in the current season for Los Blancos. With this, the Brazilian has proven to be the teamâs most complete forward, playing a key role in the collective game. Although his performances are not as explosive as in previous seasons, he has shown consistency and established as a leader in the dressing room, helping to guide the team to several titles since his arrival. Despite the Brazilianâs strong impact, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema remain well above him in Real Madridâs historical hierarchy. Not only did both win Ballon dâOr awards, but they are also the clubâs two all-time top scorers. In addition, they managed to stay among the best players in the world for more than 10 years, leaving a major legacy at Los Blancos. With this in mind, Vinicius Jr. still has a tough path to follow. Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid VinĂcius Jr. receives unfair criticism from Real Madrid fans Over the last two seasons, VinĂcius Jr. has become a source of criticism from fans, despite still being highly productive. However, Kylian MbappĂ©âs arrival has completely unbalanced his role, forcing him to change positions and significantly limiting his impact. Rather than the Frenchman adapting, all the coaches have tried to adjust the Brazilian instead, exposing him considerably. Both Vini Jr. and MbappĂ© tend to operate in the same areas: The left flank. While the Frenchman starts as a centre-forward, he does not play as a traditional striker, often drifting into the left side occupied by the Brazilian. Because of this, the 25-year-old star has adapted to a more complete role, focusing on collective play, but the lack of freedom he once had has caused his numbers to drop. If Kylian MbappĂ© were to fully adapt as a central striker, VinĂcius Jr. could continue thriving on the left wing, something that already worked with Karim Benzema. However, the Frenchman still appears to enjoy positional freedom, which limits the Brazilian. Therefore, the challenge for Ălvaro Arbeloa or any future coach will be to structure the attack so that both can shine at the same time.
