Carles Puyol is one of the most iconic captains in the history of FC Barcelona. The Spaniard was known not only for his bravery on the field but also for his attitude as well. It has been a long time since he retired from the game and he had some words of advice for one of Real Madrid’s current superstars.
With Karim Benzema leaving Real Madrid in the summer, Vinicius Junior was expected to step up and become the face of the club. His form has not been impressive this season though and he seems to be still coming to grips with a more central role in the new 4-4-2 system.
One also has to wonder what sort of an impact the constant storm surrounding Vinicius has had on him. The Brazilian international is often a target of the opposition fans.
Puyol has given some advice to Vinicius on how to get more recognition. As reported by SPORT, the former FC Barcelona captain said:
“I would love to talk to him as a soccer teammate and tell him what I think and feel. He is a great player who makes a difference and who should be admired in all fields.
“If he changed his attitude he would have more recognition.”
Barcelona legend tells Real Madrid superstar to change his attitude
It remains to be seen how things turn out for Vinicius. Yes, on the field, he does play with an attitude that can sometimes get under the skin of the opposition players and the fans. But nothing can justify the treatment that he receives from some of them and there is no place for it in football.
It is important to note that while it feels like Vinicius has been around for a long time, he is still just 23 years of age. So, as he gains more experience and matures a bit more, one would expect his attitude on the field to undergo a bit of change.
For now, Vinicius’ focus will be on getting back to his best form while playing in his new role. Let’s see how things play out.