Real Madrid: Why does Vinicius Jr divide fans?

There is no doubt that Real fans are frustrated.

Real were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by a second division side, they missed out on an automatic place in the last 16 of the Champions League and must go through the play-offs, and they sit below Barcelona in La Liga.

On Sunday they made a win against a team lying 17th in La Liga look difficult, and they are already on their second manager of the season.

Things are not right at Real and fans are looking for a player to blame. Vinicius has become that player.

Firstly, his numbers this season have been low.

The goal against Rayo Vallecano was his first in La Liga since 4 October. He has contributed eight goals for Real in all competitions, making him the club’s second-highest scorer this season.

But when you compare that to Kylian Mbappe’s 37, the gap is stark, and the expectation is that Vinicius should be producing more.

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague says Real fans direct their anger at the player they expect to help them win and also at the player they perceive as least close to the essence of what a Real player should be.

“Vinicius feels very foreign to many fans,” Balague says.

“His reactions on the pitch, his behaviour, his public disagreements with former manager Xabi Alonso, his perceived lack of respect on the bench during the cup defeat by Albacete – they all give fuel to fans.

“Changing the photo in his Instagram profile from a Real one to a Brazil one after being whistled at the Bernabeu, and even pointing out those who do not respect the colour of his skin, are seen as creating unnecessary conflict by some fans.

“Vinicius provokes and is arrogant, but he doesn’t get the neutral reading that others get.

“That constant suspicion must be exhausting, and it explains some of the volatility. The Bernabeu does not appreciate volatility. It’s a Catch 22.”