Euro-Star: Vinicius Junior the focus after Real Madrid dismantled Girona

 

Euro Star returns this week to focus on the best performing player in Europe outside of the Premier League. As always, we put the vote out on X to let our followers decide who of the best rated players they'd like to know more of from the weekend, with a Real Madrid sensation topping the vote. 

 

Vinicius Junior earned 60.9% of the vote share, pipping Jizz Hornkamp (18.8%), Donyell Malen (14.4%) and Sam Lammers (5.9%) to top spot. Vinicius Junior joins illustrious company in the form of Viktor Gyokeres and Deniz Undav in becoming the third player to feature on Euro Star. 

 

 

In a decisive meeting to determine who will be crowned La Liga champions, Real Madrid welcomed surprise title challengers Girona to the Bernabeu on Saturday evening. It was a game that reinforced Los Blancos' credentials and experience when it comes to the big games. Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti watched on as his side eased to a 4-0 win with Vinicius Junior putting in a star player display. 

 

As reports of a move for Kylian Mbappe continue to gather momentum, the Brazilian gave a timely reminder of his quality in the final third, and in particular in coming inside off the left flank. It was the 23-year-old who opened the scoring for Real Madrid as he notched his seventh league goal of the season with his wand of a right foot as he cut infield and beat Paulo Gazzaniga with an unstoppable effort from range. 

 

The Girona defence were at sixes and sevens in their efforts to contain Real Madrid's number seven as he mustered four shots in total. Vinicius Junior chipped in with a further five dribbles as he gave the visitors' backline a torrid time on home turf and he capped an impressive showing with a further two assists as he provided for Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo either side of half time from three key passes. 

 

Tidy in possession, too, Vinicius Junior's distribution ensured Real Madrid dominated Girona as he found a teammate with 93.8% of his 32 attempted passes. Reports of a potential summer exit may be wide of the mark and the forward proved that Real Madrid would be foolish to cash in on Vinicius Junior this summer at the expense of signing Mbappe. 

 

A WhoScored rating of 9.78 marked Vinicius Junior's second best rated performance in La Liga this season and he's put in a match winning display just in time for the return of the Champions League with Real Madrid back in action tonight when they face RB Leipzig in Germany.

Euro-Star: Vinicius Junior the focus after Real Madrid dismantled Girona