“Vinicius is a fraud”, “Give him his Ballon d’Or too” - Fans mock Real Madrid attacker after ‘wild’ stat about Argentina star at WC qualifiers emerges

Fans reacted as it emerged that Brazil attacker 2024 Ballon d'Or contender Vinicius Junior has fewer goals in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers than Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi. The Real Madrid man is yet to score in five qualifying games.

Brazil and Argentina experienced contrasting fortunes in the latest round of CONMEBOL FIFA World Cup qualifiers this week. While holders Albiceleste drew 1-1 at Venezuela - with Otamendi's 13th-minute opener getting cancelled out by Salomon Rondon midway through the second period, Brazil won 2-1 at Chile.

After Eduardo Vargas' second-minute opener for the hosts, the five-time world champions hit back through Igor Jesus and Luis Hernandez either side of the break. However, Vinicius drew criticism from fans following his fifth scoreless outing in the qualifiers, while Otamendi has netted thrice in nine games.

One tweeted:

"That Vini is a fraud, and one day will be exposed"

Another chimed in:

"And Vini Jr is the current Ballon d'Or favourite ... give OTA his Ballon d'Or too."

One fan found the comparison between Vinicius and Otamendi 'wild':

"Nahhhh that's wild"

There were similar reactions from other fans, with one sarcastically posting:

"Guess Vinicius needs to play with Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Rivaldo in order to score more goals than Otamendi now"

Another posted:

"Cook that cry baby"

One said:

"The fact that a defender has more goals than Vinicius in country teams says everything"

Another posted:

"And he wants to win Ballon d'Or. The award no get standard again"

Following the ninth round of games in the qualifiers, Argentina remain atop the CONMEBOL standings, three points clear of second-placed Colombia - who lost 1-0 at Bolivia - while Vinicius and Co. climbed up to fourth.

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How has 2024 Ballon d'Or contender Vinicius Junior fared in club football this season?

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior - one of the favourites to win this year's Ballon d'Or - has had a relatively quiet start to the 2024-25 season after his 24-goal 11-assist 2023-24 campaign.

In 12 games across competitions this season, the 24-year-old has bagged four goals and seven assists. All four goals and six of the assists have come in nine games in La Liga, where Carlo Ancelotti's holders are three points behind leaders Barcelona (24).

The Brazilian is yet to score in two UEFA Champions League games in the ongoing campaign but registered an assist in the 2-0 UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta in Warsaw in August.