Former Real star fears Vinicius may retire early

Pressure from controversies, racial discrimination, and excessive attention could lead Vinicius to leave football early. A former Real Madrid teammate even believes a scenario of retiring before age 30 would not be surprising.

Former Real Madrid star Eden Hazard recently made a surprising statement, suggesting that Vinicius Junior could very well retire early if the ongoing pressure and controversies surrounding him persist.

Hazard spent four seasons at Real Madrid and shared time with Vinicius in the dressing room. Although injuries limited them to only 27 joint appearances, the former Belgian captain believes he understands the Brazilian forward's character and mentality quite well.

According to Hazard, Vinicius is simply a player who plays football for joy, similar to how Hazard himself performed during his peak years at Chelsea. However, the environment around the Real Madrid star has recently become increasingly toxic.

Speaking to RTBF, Hazard candidly stated: “Vinicius is someone who loves football deeply. He just wants to play and enjoy the game, like I did before.”

The former Belgian midfielder believes that off-field noise is overshadowing Vinicius's talent. “Now people talk more about what he does or suffers, rather than what he demonstrates on the pitch. People forget how excellent a player he is.”

Hazard also admitted that such pressure could greatly affect the Brazilian star's mentality. “It’s hard to enter a match thinking only about football when your mind is filled with so many things. Sometimes I feel sorry for him.”

Moreover, the former Chelsea star made a notable prediction: “I wouldn’t be surprised if someday, around age 30, Vinicius says he wants to stop, that he’s leaving football because nothing has changed.”

Additionally, Hazard offered advice to his former teammate. He suggested Vinicius should be more cautious in reacting to opponents and spectators to avoid unnecessary controversies.

Nevertheless, Hazard still holds great respect for Vinicius. According to him, consistently shining at Real Madrid, one of the world's biggest clubs, demonstrates the impressive resilience of the Brazilian forward.

Currently, Vinicius remains a key pillar in Real Madrid's attack and continues to play decisive roles in many important matches in La Liga and the Champions League. However, Hazard's warnings show that even the biggest stars can be worn down by prolonged off-field pressure.