Nothing demonstrates more what an incredible impact Vinicius Junior has had at Real Madrid in his first season than the fact that Barcelona will be the rivals in the Nou Camp on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey semi-final and – fitness allowing - the 18-year-old will definitely start.
Only Karim Benzema – 18 goals so far this season – is playing as well. Those two will start up front and the third man will either be Gareth Bale, who is still yet to play 90 minutes since being sidelined for a month, or Lucas Vazquez.
On Sunday against Alaves, Vinicius scored once, made 43 good passes, won the ball back four times and dribbled successfully five times. He made the first goal and scored the second.
But there are certain things that can't be measured by statistics – the ability to do what's best for the team and always make the right decision on the pitch is one of those. Attitude and maturity are other markers hard to put a number on.
In a recent hard-fought away win at Real Betis, Madrid lost Benzema to injury at half-time and Vinicius played as Madrid's centre forward for the second half.
He read the situation brilliantly: it was no longer his job to hover on the shoulder of the last defender trying to get beyond the Betis defence. He now had to drop deeper, play with his back to goal and try to hold the ball up for his under pressure team. He did it brilliantly and Real Madrid won the game.
Last week against Espanyol they took special care to mark him out of the game. Their right back never ventured forward, concentrating instead on tracking Vinicius' every move. But Vinicius found a way to still have an impact on the game.
He drifted in from the touchline and took up a position in central midfield, played a clever ball out wide and then made a driving run to the edge of the area and when he received the ball from Benzema, he quickly laid it off for the Frenchman to run back on to it and score.
'Everytime he looks more at home. Every game he links up better with his team-mates. We are very content with him and he's only 18,' said the usually low-key Emilio Butragueno after Sunday's game.
It's an understatement to say he links well. More often than not he is the link giving and going, a willing runner from the first kick.
One of his greatest assets is his ability to know when to get rid of the ball. If his team needs him to hold it, he holds it. But if a quick release is in order then that is exactly what he delivers.
There is none of the over-elaboration that came with Robinho's game. He also looks physically ready for a top European league despite being so young.
Robinho – and even the willowy Neymar - were bullied at times, especially in their first season, but Vinicius is durable and a match for the most rigorous La Liga defence.
The test now is to see how he does in the really huge games. Wednesday in the Nou Camp and then Sunday in the Wanda Metropolitano. It will be a test of his temperament. He never shrinks from the pressure. He has taken to the Bernabeu stage like a seasoned pro.
But he has lost his temper on several occasions. He repeatedly shouted 'son of a b****' at Marc Bartra in that game against Betis and could easily have been cautioned by the referee.
He also appeared to stamp on Mario Hermoso in last week's game against Espanyol. Again he was fortunate that it was not spotted.
But that aside there are no doubts. The only question worth asking is why Julen Lopetegui did not use him at the start of the season when his job was slipping away. Even if he had doubts about the teenager's ability, he could have played him as an impact sub.
Lopetegui's loss is Santiago Solari's gain. Solari has shown faith in the Brazilian from his first game in charge. On Saturday he even played him on the left and moved Gareth Bale to the right.
If there is ever a time when all of Real Madrid's forwards are fit he will have a choice to make as to who should be left out. But if the choice has to be made right now then it will be Vazquez or Bale.
As one Spanish paper said on Monday: 'right now it's Benzema, Vinicius and nine more'.