football

Real Madrid forward’s stats under Arbeloa and Alonso reveal a striking trend

Yahoo Sports

Something has clearly changed at Real Madrid, and the biggest evidence of that shift is the resurgence of Vinicius Jr. Simply put, under Alvaro Arbeloa, the Brazilian looks like a completely differen...

Real Madrid forward’s stats under Arbeloa and Alonso reveal a striking trend Something has clearly changed at Real Madrid, and the biggest evidence of that shift is the resurgence of Vinicius Jr. Simply put, under Alvaro Arbeloa, the Brazilian looks like a completely different player , rediscovering the explosive form that once made him one of the most feared attackers in world football. Not too long ago, there were genuine concerns about Vinicius’ consistency and end product.

During Xabi Alonso’s spell in charge, the winger struggled to impose himself regularly. His numbers dipped, his influence faded, and at times, he looked short of confidence, which was a worrying sign for a player expected to lead Real Madrid’s attack. That story has now been flipped on its head.

Numbers under Arbeloa Since Arbeloa stepped in, Vinicius has exploded. As per Defensa Central , in just 18 appearances, he has registered 11 goals and 6 assists, putting him close to averaging a direct goal contribution in every single game. Vinicius’ record under Alonoso was worrying.

(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) What stands out even more is the trust he has been given, as Arbeloa has built his attack around Vinicius, rarely taking him off unless the game is already decided. Across those 18 matches, the Brazilian has played 1,527 minutes out of a possible 1,620, which is a clear indication of how central he is to the new system. That consistency has translated directly into output.