Vinicius Jr. shines despite boos in Real Madrid's pre-season

Vinicius Jr. walked out at Riazor with the captain’s armband on and a wall of noise in his ears. His first start of Real Madrid’s pre-season, his first game at Deportivo La Coruña’s home, and every touch was greeted with whistles from sections of the crowd.

Hostility is nothing new for the Brazilian. Away from the Santiago Bernabéu, he has grown used to being the lightning rod. At Riazor, the pattern repeated: ball to Vinicius, boos from the stands, and then play on. The reaction did not knock him off his task as one of Madrid’s main attacking outlets in a 1-0 win that was more about rhythm and roles than the scoreline.

He was not the only target. Endrick and Álvaro Carreras also felt the anger from the terraces, their treatment tied to flashpoints with Deportivo players during the match. The game, the atmosphere, the needle – it all felt like more than a routine summer friendly.

Mourinho leans on Vinicius in first start

This was Vinicius’ first start of the summer, and José Mourinho wasted no time loading responsibility onto him. Armband on, left flank his territory, the message from the bench was obvious whenever Madrid needed to breathe or build: find Vinicius.

He dropped off the line, came short, demanded the ball. He tried to drag Madrid up the pitch and link play, often acting as the release valve when Deportivo pressed high. The structure bent towards him; the attacks flowed through his side.

The rust showed. It had to. With match fitness still coming back, there were loose touches and a few slow decisions in the final third. One misplaced pass in particular opened the door for Deportivo, allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to spring forward on the counter before the move fizzled out. It was a reminder that this is still pre-season, still a work in progress.

He did not slice through the defence, did not decide the game in the box. But as a step in his build-up towards the new campaign, it was significant: captain, focal point, and once again at the centre of the noise.

Carreras rides the wave on the left

If Vinicius did not light up the scoresheet, he still changed the landscape around him. Álvaro Carreras, operating from left-back, was the clearest beneficiary.

With Vinicius attracting markers and attention, Carreras slipped into the spaces that opened up. The Brazilian’s passes released him down the flank, and the full-back responded by driving into advanced areas and swinging in a series of teasing crosses that troubled the Deportivo defence.

There was a hint of something there. An understanding. If Mourinho keeps channelling Madrid’s attacks down that left side, the partnership between Vinicius and Carreras could become a recurring theme as the season unfolds.

The crowd did not spare either of them. Carreras, like Vinicius, was booed by sections of Riazor, while Endrick also drew whistles. The edge from the stands never really faded, even as Madrid worked through their patterns and minutes.

Super Cup leaves Saudi Arabia – for a year

Away from Riazor, another decision with Madrid at its heart took shape. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has confirmed that the 2027 Spanish Super Cup will move from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul, with the Olympic Ataturk Stadium chosen as host.

It is a sharp break from recent editions, which have been staged in Saudi Arabia and have brought significant revenue into the RFEF’s accounts. Ataturk Stadium, which staged the 2023 UEFA Champions League final won by Manchester City, will now host the entire Super Cup from 2 February to 7 February 2027, with all matches played in the same arena.

Officially, the RFEF points to the 2027 Asian Cup as the key factor behind the switch. The wider backdrop is impossible to ignore: tensions in the Middle East have already pushed other sports to shift events, with Formula One dropping races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia earlier this year and moving the Qatar Grand Prix to Malaysia.

The Super Cup, though, is not gone from Saudi Arabia for good. The RFEF has already confirmed a return in 2028.

Madrid’s chance to hit back

On the pitch, the cast is set. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad will contest the 2027 edition in Istanbul. One stadium, four clubs, five days to decide a trophy.

For Madrid, it carries a sharper edge. Barcelona have dominated the competition recently, lifting three of the last four Super Cups. Madrid’s last triumph came in 2024, and since then they have watched their great rivals enjoy the stage that was supposed to showcase Spanish football’s elite.

By the time the teams walk out at Ataturk, Vinicius and this Madrid side will know exactly what that trophy represents: not just silverware in February, but a chance to turn the balance of power back in their favour.