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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="match-schedule">{"type":"match-schedule","data":{"competitionId":"34pl8szyvrbwcmfkuocjm3r6t"}}</script><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Vinicius accused of being "distracted"</li><li>Has been linked with Saudi move</li><li>Winger "so far from his level"</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

'Where is he?!' - Vinicius Junior accused of being 'distracted' by Kylian Mbappe & Saudi transfer interest with Real Madrid winger 'far from his level'

Copa del Rey

Barcelona

Real Madrid

<p>Former France and Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit claims the Brazilian winger is nowhere near the level that saw him finish second in the Ballon d'Or voting last year and is also put off by the fact that Kylian Mbappe is now the star of the Real Madrid team. Petit has also suggested that speculation over a move to Saudi Arabia is playing a part in Vinicius' drop-off in performance.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Petit said to <a href="https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2025/exclusive-emmanuel-petit-vinicius-jr-last-season-was-fighting-for-the-ballon-dor-where-is-he/" target="_blank"><em>GFFN</em></a>: "Vinicius Junior last season was fighting for the Ballon d’Or. Where is he actually? He’s not there anymore. Is he distracted by the offer that he received from Saudi Arabia? Probably. Is he distracted by the fact that Mbappe is now the star of the team? Maybe, as well. But I think he is so far from his level, and he’s not the only one in the first 11."</p>

WHAT PETIT SAID

<p><a href="https://www.goal.com/en-sa/lists/six-goals-five-assists-real-madrid-2025-what-happened-vinicius-jr/bltad56f39204fb8e4f" target="_blank">Vinicius has struggled for form throughout 2025</a>, scoring just six goals in 24 appearances for Real since the turn of the year. Rumours of a Saudi move have ramped up in recent weeks, though it was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/vinicius-jr-close-signing-real-madrid-contract-despite-incredible-billion-offer-saudi-arabia-brazilian-unwilling-commit-five-year-middle-east/bltd50f7bbb0ab2ca9f" target="_blank">most recently reported he is likely to stay with the Spanish giants</a>. </p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Vinicius is set to feature as Real aim to turn around their 3-0 Champions League quarter-final deficit to Arsenal on Wednesday. They then host Athletic Club in La Liga on Sunday, with Carlo Ancelotti's side still in the hunt for a glorious treble.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS AND REAL MADRID?

'Where is he?!' - Vinicius Junior accused of being 'distracted' by Kylian Mbappe & Saudi transfer interest with Real Madrid winger 'far from his level' | Goal.com

Vinicius Junior has been accused of being &quot;distracted&quot; by Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid amid ongoing links with a transfer to Saudi Arabia.

&apos;Where is he?!&apos; - Vinicius Junior accused of being &apos;distracted&apos; by Kylian Mbappe &amp; Saudi transfer interest with Real Madrid winger &apos;far from his level&apos;

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