Sami Khedira (foto: Getty Images)
Sami Khedira advises Vinicius Junior to improve his attitude on the pitch, likening him to a young Cristiano Ronaldo with the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.
Vinicius Junior, widely regarded as one of football’s brightest talents, missed out on the Ballon d’Or this year, despite being a frontrunner. The prestigious award went to Manchester City’s midfielder Rodri, and Vinicius didn’t even attend the ceremony.
While the Brazilian forward undoubtedly has the skills to win a Ballon d’Or in the future, his behavior on the pitch has come under scrutiny. Former Real Madrid player Sami Khedira believes that attitude is what holds Vinicius back from achieving greatness.
"Vinicius decides games. When Real Madrid doesn’t know what to do, they give him the ball, and he solves problems. But his behavior sometimes… He seems nervous. Cristiano Ronaldo was like that in his early years, but he changed. If Vinicius wants to become the next Messi, Zidane, Cristiano, or Xavi, he must respect opponents and referees more. As a footballer, he’s already number one," Khedira said.
Khedira, who retired in 2021 after a career with Real Madrid, Juventus, and Stuttgart, emphasized that maturity will be key for Vinicius if he is to fulfill his immense potential.