Karim Benzema Defends Vinícius Junior During His Toughest Moment Following Real Madrid's Match Against AEK Athens

Criticism of Vinicius is mounting after his underwhelming performance against AEK Athens. Amid growing doubts, a special figure from his past has decided to speak out.

Vinícius Back Under the Spotlight

Real Madrid's victory over AEK Athens secured three important points, but not all the attention was on the result. Vinícius Junior once again had a quiet performance, struggling to make an impact and get past opposing defenders.

His recent numbers are also a concern, as he has scored just one goal in 12 appearances across all competitions. A significant contrast to the influential player he was in previous seasons.

For Benzema, Vinícius Is “Number 1 Forever”

Amid this difficult situation, Karim Benzema decided to publicly show his support for the Brazilian. The French striker shared a photo with his former teammate on social media, adding a message that did not go unnoticed: “Number 1 forever.”

With his post, Benzema made it clear that his faith in Vinícius remains unchanged, just as the forward faces increasing questions about his performances and his future role at Real Madrid.

The two built a decisive partnership over several seasons, with the Frenchman playing a major role in the Brazilian's development.

A Partnership That Made History at Real Madrid

The connection between Benzema and Vinícius reached its peak during the 2021-22 season. That campaign, when Real Madrid won their 35th LaLiga title, saw the duo directly involved in 60 of the team's 73 goals in the competition.

While the Frenchman provided the goals and experience, Vinícius caused problems down the left wing and created chances for his teammates. Benzema finished the season with 26 goals and won the Pichichi Trophy before capping off a historic year by claiming the Ballon d'Or.

They also played key roles in winning the club's 14th Champions League title, one of the most memorable periods in Real Madrid's recent history.

Benzema, a Key Figure in Vinícius' Development

When Vinícius arrived from Flamengo, he was still a young player who needed to mature and develop his game. Benzema became something of a mentor and never hesitated to demand more from him whenever he believed the Brazilian could deliver better performances.

Benzema's move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 brought their partnership on the pitch to an end, but their bond remains strong. Now, as Vinícius looks to rediscover his best form, he has received support from one of the former teammates who knows his potential better than most.