Vinícius Júnior once again proved decisive on the biggest stage. During the Spanish Super Cup final on January 11 in Jeddah, the Brazilian winger delivered a moment of individual brilliance against Barcelona that not only electrified the match but also placed him alongside some of Real Madrid’s greatest legends.
From the opening whistle, El Clásico was played at high intensity, with both teams trading chances in a tense first half. Just before the break, Vinícius produced the defining moment for Real Madrid. Receiving the ball near the left touchline, he burst forward with pace, cut inside sharply and left Jules Koundé behind before firing a low, precise shot into the corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance and leveling the score.
Vinícius Júnior equals historic Real Madrid finals record
Beyond its technical quality, the goal carried enormous historical weight. With that strike, Vinícius Júnior reached 16 direct goal involvements in finals for Real Madrid—a milestone previously achieved only by Cristiano Ronaldo, Ferenc Puskás and Karim Benzema.
At just 25 years old, Vinícius has reached that figure in fewer finals than some of those icons, underlining his growing status as one of the club’s most decisive players in major matches. Cristiano Ronaldo reached the same mark across 18 finals, while Puskás needed only eight. Vinícius’ numbers continue to rise, with time firmly on his side.
Viral dribble and instant global reaction
The dribble past Koundé immediately ignited the stands in Jeddah and quickly went viral on social media. Multiple angles of the play circulated online, with analysts praising Vinícius’ acceleration, close control and composure in front of goal during a high-pressure moment.
For many supporters, the goal symbolized his evolution from a raw talent into a complete forward capable of deciding finals.
VINI JR. NUTMEGS KOUNDE AND FINISHES TO EQUALIZE FOR REAL MADRID! INSANE GOAL 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/zHh9OBD35z
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 11, 2026
A “man for finals,” says Xabi Alonso
After the match, coach Xabi Alonso praised Vinícius Júnior’s courage and mentality, describing him as “a player for finals.” Teammates echoed the sentiment, emphasizing how his confidence and attacking intent lift the entire squad in decisive moments.
