Real Madrid News
Vinicius Jr turns down chance to wear Real Madrid’s legendary jersey – report
Almost every top club in the world has one or more jersey numbers that are iconic to their institution, largely due to the players that have donned them. For Barcelona, it’s #10, for Manchester United it’s #7, and for Real Madrid, it is #7, too.
In the past, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Juanito, and Kopa have all worn that jersey, setting incredible records and achieving historic feats in club and sport history.
However, since it has definitely seen better days than the last five odd years. Since Ronaldo left the club in 2018, the #7 has been passed to Mariano Diaz and then Eden Hazard. Both of them have failed to live up to its weight and their transfers, and could be on their way out as early as this summer.
Real Madrid have, therefore, offered the shirt to Vinicius Jr. One of the best wingers in the world over the last two seasons, the Brazilian currently wears the #20, and apparently has no plans to change it.
If reports from ESPN Brazil, as relayed by OneFootball, are true, Vinicius has rejected the offer from Real Madrid to wear #7 next season.
Coming off a megastar like Ronaldo, kits like these carry incredibly heavy weight behind them. United went through the same after the Portuguese left the club. In fact, one can argue that apart from Edinson Cavani, it is yet to find a successful successor at Old Trafford.
The same goes for Lionel Messi’s #10 Barcelona jersey, which was bravely opted for, by Ansu Fati. The Spaniard was bound for incredible success, but has fallen in the pecking order this season and currently looks like a shadow of his former self.
As such, it is hardly surprising that Vinicius might have already turned down the chance to take on such a heavy responsibility. As of now, anyway.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
