Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, has praised Vinicius Junior for his selfless act during their La Liga match against Real Betis on Sunday night. The Brazilian forward, who is usually Real Madrid’s primary penalty taker, chose to let his teammate, Kylian Mbappe, take a penalty instead. This gesture highlighted Vinicius’s unselfishness and team spirit, qualities that Ancelotti was keen to commend.
In the match held at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid secured a decisive victory against Real Betis, largely thanks to a brace from Kylian Mbappe. The goals from Mbappe ensured that Real Madrid took all three points, further solidifying their standing in the league. Following the game, Ancelotti spoke at the post-match press conference, where he highlighted the positive dynamics within his attacking lineup, particularly the camaraderie between Vinicius Junior, Mbappe, and Rodrygo.
Ancelotti emphasized that the relationship among the three forwards is exemplary and contributes significantly to the team’s performance. “He [Mbappe] has never been put under pressure to score goals,” Ancelotti said. “He had a good game, like everyone else, and was very good in the box.”
The coach continued, praising the team’s overall effort and cohesion on the pitch. “Everyone worked well and Vini Jr. got the penalty for him,” he noted. “He was very unselfish and both of them, along with Rodrygo, have a good relationship.”
Vinicius Junior’s decision to allow Mbappe to take the penalty could be seen as a strategic move aimed at building confidence among the players, particularly Mbappe. Penalty-taking is often a high-pressure situation, and by allowing Mbappe to take the shot, Vinicius demonstrated trust in his teammate’s abilities.
