Despite Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup heartbreak against Barcelona, Vinicius Jr. has etched his name deeper into the club’s history books by equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for direct goal involvements in finals.
The Brazilian star was once again the bright spot in an otherwise disappointing night for the Merengues in Jeddah. By scoring against Barcelona, Vini Jr. reached a staggering 16 direct goal involvements (goals and assists) in finals, matching a milestone previously held exclusively by the club’s greatest-ever goalscorer, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Breaking Down the Numbers: Vini Jr. vs. The Legends
What makes Vinicius’ achievement even more remarkable is the efficiency with which he has reached this milestone compared to other Real Madrid icons. According to data highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, the hierarchy of “Big Game” performers now looks like this:
| Player | Goal Involvements | Finals Played |
| Ferenc Puskás | 16 | 8 |
| Vinicius Jr. | 16 | 15 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 16 | 18 |
| Karim Benzema | 16 | 29 |
Vini Jr. has surpassed both Ronaldo and Benzema in terms of “Finals per involvement,” proving that he has become the ultimate big-game player for the post-CR7 era.
A Legacy of Decisive Moments
Out of his 16 involvements (10 goals and 6 assists), Vinicius has delivered on the biggest stages of world football:
- Champions League Heroics: Scoring the winning goals in the 2022 final against Liverpool and the 2024 final against Borussia Dortmund.
- Clásico Dominance: His hat-trick against Barcelona in the 2024 Super Cup remains one of the most iconic individual performances in the competition’s history.
- Copa del Rey: Providing two crucial assists in the 2023 final victory over Osasuna.
From “Promise” to “Protagonist”
Since the departure of Karim Benzema and the recent tactical shifts under Xabi Alonso, Vinicius Jr. has fully embraced the role of Real Madrid’s offensive leader. While the team struggled in the 2026 Super Cup final, Vini’s ability to find the net confirms his status as a “Galactico” who thrives under the most intense pressure.
As Real Madrid shifts its focus back to La Liga and the Champions League, Vinicius Jr. isn’t just chasing trophies—he is chasing the ghosts of the club’s greatest legends, and he is currently winning the race.
