Former Barcelona star Carles Puyol has, on Monday, sent some advice the way of Real Madrid standout Vinícius Júnior.
This comes amid fresh calls for the Brazilian to work on his attitude.
Wide-man Vinícius is of course widely considered to be one of the most gifted attacking talents in world football.
The Brazilian international boasts the complete package of quick feet, scintillating pace, and final ball, attributes aptly highlighted by his haul of 23 goals and 21 assists across the 2022/23 campaign.
And yet, despite as much, Vinicius continues to come in for regular criticism from the Spanish media, and fans alike.
Accused of play-acting, as well as engaging too often in the game’s ‘dark arts’, calls have long spread for the 23-year-old to clean up his act on the pitch.
And one individual of the opinion that as much would result in Vinicius’ talents being more widely recognised, comes in the form of the aforementioned Carles Puyol.
Speaking in an interview with Diario AS on Monday, ex-stopper Puyol was first full of praise for Real’s explosive winger:
“Vinícius is a great footballer, he makes a difference and should be admired in every ground he visits. Great players have come to Camp Nou, and despite being rivals, they are admired for being great players.”
From here, though, the Spaniard admitted that he would like to have the opportunity to speak to Vinícius, to advise him to ‘change his attitude’:
“I would love to talk to him as a professional colleague and tell him what I think and feel about him. If he changed his attitude, he would have more recognition. If I talked to him I would tell you what I think about him.”
Conor Laird | GSFN
