The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League final is set. Last night, Real Madrid knocked Bayern Munich out of the semi-finals to secure their place in the finals, setting up a showdown with Borussia Dortmund. Yet, the spotlight has shifted away from the scoreline, shining brightly on Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian superstar has been praised for ‘making a difference in the big games,’ unlike Kylian Mbappe, drawing comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

During the ESPN FC Extra Time segment, where questions from netizens are discussed, Craig Burley was asked whether Vinicius Jr. has reached the level of Ronaldo and Messi. He was also prompted to compare the performance of the Los Blancos star with that of Mbappe against Dortmund. Interestingly, while agreeing to liken Vini to the two undisputable GOATs, the former Sottish player said, “He’s [Vini Jr.] making a difference in the big games and Mbappe is not, whether he likes it or not. He [Vini Jr.] was apart from a goal or something like that; he was a constant threat.”

Mbappe’s absence in big games is evident from PSG’s and the Frenchman’s lack of goals in both legs of the semi-final, which they lost 0-2 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior had stepped up for the Spanish side, scoring a brace at Allianz Arena in the opening leg to level the goals scored by Leroy Sane and Harry Kane. While he failed to score any in the return leg, he didn’t fail to light up the Bernabeu, asserting dominance on the left flank. 

Instead, summer signing Joselu came to the rescue of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, scoring a brace to deny Alphonso Davies’ strike to send Bayern to the finals. However, statistics say something else for Vinicius and Mbappe.

Comparing the overall season between Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe

This season, Vinicius Junior has been in fine form for Real Madrid. In over 36 appearances, he has notched 21 goals and 11 assists. In the Champions League so far, out of 9 games, he has 5 goals and 5 assists each. Those numbers could see a further increase should he manage to get his name on the scoresheet. As for Mbappe, regardless of the criticism, the World Cup winner has yet again been tremendous for Paris Saint-Germain. 

In 46 appearances across all competitions, he has scored a whopping 43 goals and 10 assists. Speaking of the Champions League, the 25-year-old has no assists but 8 goals in 12 matches. Crunching the numbers, Mbappe is clearly ahead! Yet, Vinicius, having already won La Liga, would have a better season than the Parisian star if he wins the Champions League trophy. Mbappe, meanwhile, ends his season with a French Super Cup and Ligue 1 title. 

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Perhaps next season, Mbappe may prove everyone wrong. Until then, we shall let Vinicius Junior bask in the comparisons with Messi and Ronaldo.