Former Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez named attacker Vinicius Junior as the player who receives unfair treatment despite playing a key role in the club’s recent success.

Vinicius, 26, has played over 380 times across competitions for Los Blancos since arriving from Flamengo in the summer of 2018, contributing 129 goals and 103 assists and winning three La Liga and two UEFA Champions League titles.

The Brazil international has had a slow start to the season, though, scoring once in eight games across competitions. Having signed a contract extension this summer, Vinicius has attracted criticism for his underwhelming returns. Nevertheless, Nacho lauded the Brazilian for being the hardest worker in the team (as per Cadena SER):

“Vinicius has been getting unfair treatment lately. He’s won so much at Real Madrid and given so much to the club. Every player has moments when they’re below their best.

“Besides, I know Vinicius personally, and I have no doubt that he’s the hardest worker, for sure. We need to find a way to get them both to perform at their peak during the most important part of the season.”

Nacho and Vinicius played together at the Santiago Bernabeu for six seasons, between 2018 and 2024, before the Spaniard left for Al-Qadsiah.

Nacho Fernandez lauds Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo

Nacho Fernandez had words of praise for Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s still going strong despite turning 41 earlier this year. The Portugal captain was at the Santiago Bernabeu between 2009 and 2018 before leaving for Juventus.

Ronaldo scored a club record 450 goals in just 438 games across competitions, winning two La Liga and four UEFA Champions League titles, including an unprecedented three-peat in the competition between 2016 and 2018.

Now at Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he arrived on a free transfer in December 2022, Ronaldo has amassed over 100 goals for his side. Nacho lauded Ronaldo for still playing at a high level (as per CADENA SER):

“What Cristiano does is out of this world; it’s crazy to reach that age still competing. I’m definitely not going to reach that age.”

Ronaldo won four of his five Ballon d’Or awards while at the Santiago Bernabeu and became the first player to win the Champions League five times, which he achieved in 2018.