Pedrerol Praises Vinícius’ Brilliance but Slams His Attitude: “He’s Incredible… But Too Distracted”
Josep Pedrerol has once again spoken candidly about Vinícius Júnior—a player he admires for his extraordinary footballing ability but criticizes for his conduct on and off the pitch.
“Vinícius is so good, unbelievably good… but when the score is 0-0, he’s on the bench laughing. He’s so good… but instead of staying focused, he’s yawning. He’s so good… but when Mbappé scores, he’s more worried about arguing with referees and fans than concentrating on the game,” Pedrerol remarked on the latest edition of El Chiringuito.
The journalist admitted he hesitates to talk about Vinícius because, while his talent is unquestionable, the constant distractions around him frustrate both teammates and supporters.
The match against Real Oviedo summed up this paradox. On one hand, Vinícius delivered a goal and an assist, proving decisive. On the other, his antics stole the spotlight: clashing with fans at Carlos Tartiere, needing Mbappé to intervene to calm things down, and picking up a yellow card for trying to win a penalty. Oviedo’s crowd mocked him, calling him a “fool.”
Despite the controversy, his impact on the scoreboard was undeniable. His goal sealed Oviedo’s relegation, but it once again showcased the tension between his dazzling talent and his fragile temperament.
New coach Xabi Alonso has already warned him about these lapses. Alonso wants discipline and focus, not unnecessary disputes. That’s why he benched Vinícius at the start of the Oviedo clash—and he may do it again if the Brazilian doesn’t adjust.
Still, after his decisive display, Vinícius is in contention to return to the starting eleven. The real question now is whether he will cut out the distractions and live up to his coach’s expectations—or continue walking the fine line between brilliance and chaos.
