# Samuel Umtiti Criticizes Vinicius Jr's Recent Performance Decline Former Barcelona defender claims Vinicius Jr has lost his competitive edge and fear factor. - **Source:** [Olé](https://www.ole.com.ar) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/974a3098-3716-47f9-9803-bc231f1ffdb6 ## Umtiti's Harsh Assessment Former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti recently criticized Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, stating the Brazilian is no longer at his peak. Speaking to RMC, Umtiti expressed pity for the player, noting that he no longer strikes fear into opponents. He highlighted significant technical struggles and wastefulness in the forward's recent performances. ## Ballon d'Or Impact Umtiti suggested that Vinicius Jr's current form is linked to the disappointment of missing out on the 2024 Ballon d'Or. The Frenchman noted that the player has struggled to regain his previous spark since that event. This psychological setback appears to be a central factor in his diminished influence on the pitch. ## Mijatovic on Competition Former Real Madrid player Predrag Mijatovic echoed these concerns, pointing to the emergence of internal competition as a source of pressure. He observed that Vinicius is struggling to remain decisive while trying too hard to prove himself. Despite this, Mijatovic remains optimistic that the forward can recover his best form eventually. ## Valdano Questions Mourinho Jorge Valdano criticized Jose Mourinho's description of Vinicius's performance as merely acceptable. Valdano argued that such a term is insufficient for a player of his caliber. He noted that the forward struggled to beat defenders and lacked impact during the match, failing to justify his usual status as a key starter. ## Tactical Performance Issues Recent match analysis shows that Vinicius Jr has been less effective in one-on-one situations compared to his previous seasons. Observers noted that he is currently playing with excessive pressure, which hinders his decision-making. His inability to consistently win individual duels has led to questions about his current role in the squad. ## Internal Squad Dynamics The arrival of new competition within the Real Madrid lineup has shifted the tactical landscape for Vinicius. Reports indicate that players like Diomande are challenging his established position in the starting eleven. This shift in team hierarchy is forcing the Brazilian to adapt to a new reality under significant public scrutiny. ## Mourinho's Defensive Stance Jose Mourinho attempted to defend Vinicius following the team's narrow 3-2 victory against AEK. While he labeled the performance as acceptable, this assessment sparked debate among pundits and former players. The defense highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining player confidence and acknowledging the reality of a visible decline in output. ## Future Outlook While critics emphasize his current struggles, some analysts believe Vinicius has enough time to turn his season around. The consensus among those observing the situation is that he needs to relax to regain his effectiveness. Whether he can reclaim his elite status remains a primary focus for Real Madrid's upcoming matches. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ole.com.ar/futbol-internacional/espana/viniciusjr-realmadrid-samuelumtiti-balondeoro-josemourinho_0_qQU9ZkbWDY.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._