<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/vinicius-junior/">Vinicius Junior</a> dominated headlines this week after claiming the FIFA The Best award for 2024, following a stellar 2023-24 season with Real Madrid. While the accolade has sparked comparisons to Brazil’s greatest soccer players, a German legend offered a contrasting perspective, likening Vinicius to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/neymar/">Neymar</a> in both talent and behavior—on and off the pitch.



The Brazilian winger had an exceptional season with Los Blancos, contributing 25 goals and 12 assists in 40 appearances and helping secure the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles. Despite his impressive numbers, Vinicius has often found himself at the center of controversies, sparking mixed reactions from the soccer community.



German icon <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/tag/lothar-matthaus/">Lothar Matthaus</a> weighed in on Vinicius’ character, drawing parallels to Neymar in a critical manner. “For me, he is the second Neymar. He is a superb talent, but like Neymar, he gets in his own way. He stirs up the crowd, clashes with opponents, and provokes with gestures,” Matthaus said in an interview with Sport Bild.



The Bayern Munich legend emphasized the duality of Vinicius and Neymar—world-class skill and athleticism counterbalanced by questionable conduct on the field. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/real-madrids-vinicius-junior-faces-possible-sanction-for-disrespectful-gesture-toward-rayo-supporters-in-la-liga/">One of Vinicius’ last episodes was the provocative gestures he did during a game against Rayo Vallecano as evidence of this imbalance</a>. “Vini Jr. has an excellent finishing touch, speed—everything is world-class. But his behavior is heading in the wrong direction, and Neymar is the wrong role model,” he added.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20241220_WST_544982_Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-1200x675_fe3fd2fd.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-545008" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-740x416.jpg 740w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-490x275.jpg 490w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1-250x140.jpg 250w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/12/20131019/Neymar-Vinicius-Junior-Brazil-1.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



Matthaus also addressed the Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri, underscoring the importance of maturity and composure. “For me, the Ballon d’Or choice with Rodri was correct. He has more charisma, more intelligence. Vini Jr. needs to mature, and if he does, he has the skills and the club to become the World Player of the Year,” he concluded.


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Reports suggest that conduct and professionalism factored heavily into award deliberations, potentially costing Vinicius the Ballon d’Or despite his undeniable talent and achievements. While his skillset continues to dazzle fans and pundits alike, questions about his demeanor remain a point of contention.



<h2>Vinicius’ response to critics</h2>



Criticism of his on-field conduct is nothing new for Vinicius, with many analysts highlighting it as a barrier to deeper fan connection. However, the Brazilian star appears unfazed by such comments.



Following his FIFA The Best win, Vinicius took to social media to share a message of defiance and gratitude, addressing his family, teammates, and detractors alike. “They tried, and they still try, to invalidate me, to diminish me. But they’re not prepared. No one will tell me who I should fight for, or how I should behave,” he wrote on Instagram, signaling his determination to rise above criticism.

‘He’s the second Neymar’: Germany legend critiques Vinicius Junior’s behavior after The Best win

‘He’s the second Neymar’: Germany legend critiques Vinicius Junior’s behavior after The Best win - World Soccer Talk

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Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus has criticized the team’s decision to fly to the USA this fall. The Germans are set to play <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-announces-fall-friendlies-against-former-world-cup-rivals-20230530-WST-435373.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two friendly matches Stateside</a> in October. They will first face the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/usmnt-tv-schedule/">USMNT</a> on October 14 in Connecticut. Four days later, the Germans will be in Chicago to take on Mexico. However, Matthaus has concerns about the travel.



“I don’t understand the trip to the USA – for a variety of reasons,” Matthaus told German outlet <a href="https://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/nationalmannschaft/nationalmannschaft-lothar-matthaeus-teilt-gegen-dfb-reise-aus-84400836.bild.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BILD</a>. “I would have tried to create a good atmosphere in Germany before the Euros. That’s why I would be in all ten European Championship stadiums for the friendly matches and would have shown myself there once as a DFB selection. That can create a mood. But what do we want in the US at this point?”



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/germany-national-team-tv-schedule/">Germany</a> is set to host the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 UEFA Euro</a> tournament next summer. Matthaus feels as if traveling to the U.S. could be detrimental to player fitness. “In terms of the health of the players, this trip is just as questionable for me,” continued Matthäus. “We want to be present with our own fans and fly to the USA. I don’t know why such a thing has been agreed to.”



<h2>Germany trip to USA is chance to bounce back</h2>



The Germans have sputtered in recent months following a disappointing World Cup in Qatar. After being bounced out of the competition at the group stage, Germany has since won just one match. This lone victory came during a home friendly against Peru. Nevertheless, they have failed to collect a win in four matches since the end of March.


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While other European sides are currently in the Euro 2024 qualification phase, Germany avoids the process due to hosting the tournament. This means that the team is playing friendlies instead. Germany has suffered back-to-back defeats to Poland and Colombia this month after drawing against Ukraine. 



<h5>News outlet has asked DFB to make change</h5>



The recent poor results made BILD start a <a href="https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/06/21/german-newspaper-starts-campaign-for-jurgen-klopp-to-become-germany-coach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">petition</a> to make a managerial change. According to the newspaper, they want the DFB to fire current coach Hansi Flick and appoint Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. The move, however, is not expected to work.



Along with the U.S. trip, Germany is also set to play Japan and France at home in September as well. These friendlies could be a deciding factor in whether or not Flick will be in charge of the team for the 2024 Euros.



PHOTO: IMAGO / Kirchner-Media

Former Germany international Lothar Matthaus has criticized DFB's decision to send Germany to the USA for two friendlies in October.

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‘He’s the second Neymar’: Germany legend critiques Vinicius Junior’s behavior after The Best win

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Lothar Matthaus criticizes Germany trip to USA this fall