Leadership at Real Madrid has changed hands. Not so long ago, the team revolved around Vinicius Junior. It was he who stepped forward after the departure of Benzema, who took on the weight of the attack and who symbolised the new era in white that conquered the 14th Champions League.
The Frenchman has not needed much time to become the benchmark of Xabi Alonso's new project. He is the big star that Florentino Pérez had been chasing for many years. And, in this new ecosystem, Vinicius has to adapt to a less central role. Something that for now has cost him a lot and has even paralysed his negotiations for his renewal
In the match against Villarreal, we saw an image that could help with this new balance. Mbappé is the main penalty taker, but he allowed Vinicius to take it. A gesture that doesn't change hierarchies, but shows that the Frenchman wants Vinicius to join his reign
The numbers reflect the change. Mbappé is the team's top scorer and his influence goes beyond the penalty area. Everything that happens in attack has his imprint. Vinicius was back to his best against Los Groguets. But Xabi Alonso's task is still to make this good partnership last
After the game, Kylian Mbappé himself uploaded a post to his social networks with a photograph just before the Brazilian's penalty kick. The Frenchman kissed the Brazilian's head to wish him luck and added: "Always in your boat
The Frenchman is looking for the unity that the team has so far lacked. After a very bad last season under Ancelotti and the big scare of the derby defeat, Mbappé is aware that either they all pull together or this will not come to fruition
Xabi Alonso, for his part, wants Vinicius to assume his role and add to the team. Something we didn't see all last season or at the start of this one.
Now, Real Madrid are leading after Barça's defeat to Sevilla and with just a few weeks to go until the Clasico; this gesture from Mbappé could be key in recovering a Vinicius who we already know that his performance depends a lot on his state of mind.