Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho has once again expressed his admiration for Vinicius Jr following the Real Madrid star’s sensational performance in their 5-2 Champions League comeback victory against Borussia Dortmund.
The match, held at the Santiago Bernabeu, saw Real Madrid trailing 2-0 at halftime in what appeared to be a shocking result in the making. Borussia Dortmund had taken control of the first half, with goals that left Carlo Ancelotti’s side with a mountain to climb in the second period.
However, Madrid responded with an incredible second-half comeback, spearheaded by Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian winger, already considered one of the world’s most exciting talents, delivered a hat-trick, while Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez also found the back of the net to complete the turnaround. Vinicius’ influence on the game was undeniable, as he consistently tormented the Dortmund defense with his pace, skill, and finishing ability.
Following the match, Vinicius Jr took to Instagram to celebrate the victory, posting a message that read: “We are Real Madrid!” His performance was the catalyst for Madrid’s comeback and highlighted why he is among the top contenders for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, with many tipping him to take home the prestigious award after his key role in Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League double last season.
In response to Vinicius Jr’s post, Garnacho left a comment, calling the Real Madrid star a “big inspiration.” This is not the first time the young Manchester United winger has shown his admiration for Vinicius Jr. Back in May, Garnacho referred to Vinicius as the “best player in the world” after another standout performance. The two wingers also swapped shirts after United faced Madrid in a pre-season friendly in July 2023, further highlighting the respect Garnacho has for the Brazilian star.
Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s head coach, was full of praise for Vinicius Jr after the game, acknowledging the winger’s decisive impact. “What I can say is that it’s rare to see a player who plays a second half like Vinicius did,” Ancelotti remarked. “And not because of the three goals, but because of his character; he’s extraordinary. Vinicius is going to win [the Ballon d’Or], not for what he did tonight, but for what he did last year. These three goals are already going to count for next year’s Ballon d’Or, that’s for sure. He is a player who gets whistled at because he can make a difference.”
With this latest performance, Vinicius Jr continues to prove why he is regarded as one of the best players in the world, and his inspirational displays are clearly having an impact on younger players like Garnacho, who sees the Brazilian winger as a role model in his own career development.